Trump finally receives peace award — But there’s a catch

US President Donald Trump became the first recipient of the new FIFA Peace Prize. The award was presented during the draw ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Washington. The 2026 World Cup itself will be hosted by three countries — the US, Mexico, and Canada — across 16 different stadiums.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino personally presented the prize to Trump during the ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Infantino emphasized that football is a symbol of peace and that the FIFA Peace Prize – Football Unites the World is intended to honor people who bring others together and inspire hope in future generations.

"This is what we want from a leader - a leader that cares about the people," Infantino said of Trump, who received a golden trophy bearing his name and depicting hands holding the world.

Infantino told Trump, "This is your prize, this is your peace prize."

After receiving the award, Trump thanked his family — including his wife, First Lady Melania Trump — and in his brief remarks praised the leaders of the other two host countries, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum, calling the coordination with these countries "outstanding."

"This is truly one of the great honors of my life," Trump said.

It is noted that the draw ceremony determined 12 groups for this year’s tournament, which will feature 48 teams.

What is known about the FIFA Peace Prize

The award was established in November 2025 by FIFA to honor individuals whose unwavering dedication and exceptional actions help unite people around the world in the name of peace.

Introducing the prize for the first time, Infantino said that football stands for peace and that, on behalf of the entire global football community, the FIFA Peace Prize recognizes the tremendous efforts of those who bring people together and inspire hope in future generations.

Presenting the award to Trump became a historic event: for the first time, FIFA honored a political leader as part of an initiative aimed at promoting peace and global unity through sport.

Donald Trump stated several times in 2025 that he considers himself a "deal-maker leader" who "ends all global conflicts." He therefore wanted to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

In 2025, representatives of several countries even nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.

However, the prestigious award that year went to Venezuelan politician María Corina Machado "for her tireless work in advancing the democratic rights of the people of Venezuela and for her efforts toward achieving a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy."

The White House was reportedly offended that the Nobel Peace Prize was not awarded to Trump.