Overview
- FIFA president Gianni Infantino presented the award to President Donald Trump on stage at Washington’s Kennedy Center during the 2026 World Cup draw, with Trump receiving a medal, trophy and certificate.
- FIFA cited Trump’s role in a Gaza cease-fire and a peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda as reasons for the selection.
- FIFA has not disclosed nominees, judges or selection criteria, and Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International criticized the decision and requested details, with HRW reporting no response.
- Several reports said senior FIFA officials were surprised by the prize’s rollout and that the FIFA Council was not consulted before the announcement.
- The honor highlights Infantino’s close ties with Trump and marks FIFA’s move into overt political recognition shortly after the Nobel Peace Prize went to María Corina Machado.