Donald Trump was named the first recipient of FIFA's newly created World Prize, declaring that “the world is now a safer place” as he received the award at the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington.
Gianni Infantino, FIFA president and one of Trump's close associates. closest sports alliespresented the award on stage at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, saying Trump was chosen “in recognition of his exceptional and extraordinary actions in promoting peace and unity in the world.”
“This is your prize, this is your peace prize,” Infantino said after Trump took the stage to accept the trophy, medal and certificate. “And there is also a beautiful medal for you that you can wear wherever you want.”
FIFA says the award is dedicated to “individuals who help unite the world's people through unwavering commitment and special actions.” The governing body has not revealed details of the selection process, although a Guardian investigation revealed that a new “social responsibility” committee chaired by controversial Myanmar tycoon Zaw Zaw will suggest the process for future awards.
Trump, who has long sought international recognition, attended Friday's ceremony and accepted the award in front of FIFA officials, diplomats and invited guests.
Accepting the award, Trump called it “one of the greatest honors of my life” and then said that he had “saved millions and millions of lives – an example would be the Congo, where over 10 million people died, and very quickly approaching 10 million more. India and Pakistan, so many different wars that we were able to end, in some cases just before they started.”
He went on to praise Infantino for “setting new records for ticket sales” and said the 2026 tournament will be “an event the likes of which the world may never have seen before.” Trump concluded: “The world is now a safer place…we are the hottest country in the world.”
Trump made questionable statements about the number of conflicts that he “ended”, as well as about the beginning of a number of military actions, some with controversial rationale – even though he insisted that he be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. His interventions as a self-proclaimed peacemaker in the Gaza conflict and the war in Ukraine have also drawn significant criticism. criticized for being one-sided and ineffective.
Among the wars Trump claims are “over” is the Gaza Strip, where a two-year conflict, albeit at a lower level, still continues, including regular Israeli strikes and the ongoing occupation of much of the devastated coastal strip.
Trump also claims to have brought an end to the Israel-Iran War, a 12-day conflict in which the US was an active participant on Israel's side, launching its own long-range airstrikes against Iranian nuclear sites.
The US president also said he played a significant role in ending a brief flare-up in long-running tensions between India and Pakistan in May, although India denies Trump's involvement was particularly significant.
Trump, or at least the US, appears to have played a larger role in mediating conflicts between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as Thailand and Cambodia. Claims of a cessation of fighting between Rwandan-backed rebels and the DRC have been undermined by ongoing clashes. His peacekeeping statements regarding Serbia, Kosovo, Egypt and Ethiopia are best described as imaginary, since there are no active conflicts.
Trump's actions closer to home also contradict his claims to be a peacemaker, not least his use of lethal military strikes on small vessels in the Caribbean based on dubious legal claims about threats posed by “narco-terrorists” against the US, which have also seen him threaten Venezuela.
The decision to give Trump his first FIFA award is likely to heighten scrutiny of the organization's close ties to his political orbit. Trump regularly used sports platforms to bolster his image abroad and campaigned aggressively for the Nobel laureate. After all, this year the award went to the leader of the Venezuelan opposition Maria Corina Machadosenior republicans condemned this decision as “politics is more important than peace,” and US House Speaker Mike Johnson promised help organize a global nomination for Trump next year.
Infantino's relationship with Trump became more and more noticeable ahead of the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The pair appeared together at a summit in Egypt in October, shortly after the Gaza ceasefire came into effect, and Infantino has repeatedly said football can “invest in happiness” and send a “message of peace” even if it “cannot solve the conflict.”
FIFA has also strengthened its ties with Trump's inner circle. Earlier this year, the organization appointed Trump's daughter Ivanka to the board of a $100 million education initiative partially funded by 2026. World Cup income from ticket sales.
The 2026 tournament, which begins on June 11 and features a record 104 matches across 16 host cities, is being touted by FIFA as an opportunity to “unite the world.”
