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FIFA Hands New Peace Prize to President Trump at World Cup Draw

Human-rights groups say FIFA disclosed no criteria, nominees or jury for the hastily launched award.

Overview

  • FIFA president Gianni Infantino presented the inaugural FIFA Friedenspreis to Donald Trump on stage at the Kennedy Center during the 2026 World Cup group draw in Washington.
  • Announced only in November, the award included a gold medal and trophy; Trump placed the medal on himself and called the honor one of the greatest of his life.
  • Infantino praised Trump's "decisive" peacemaking, citing efforts tied to an IsraelGaza ceasefire, as Trump again claimed to have ended or prevented multiple wars and referenced his pursuit of the Nobel.
  • Human Rights Watch and other advocates criticized the honor as lacking transparency, saying there were no nominations, criteria, judges or a disclosed process.
  • FIFA says the prize will be awarded annually, yet it has not explained how future recipients will be chosen, drawing media backlash and renewed scrutiny of Infantino’s ties to Trump.