Overview
- Gianni Infantino created a new FIFA Peace Prize and presented it to President Donald Trump during the Washington group draw, where Trump also placed the medal on himself.
- Human Rights Watch and the ACLU condemned the ceremony for lacking transparent criteria and warned that FIFA risked becoming a platform for authoritarianism.
- Multiple outlets reported the prize was set up without formal FIFA Council approval, intensifying questions about internal procedures and accountability.
- The gala was heavily tailored to Trump with favored performers and celebrity guests, while leaders from co-hosts Canada and Mexico played minimal roles and prior Infantino–Trump ties drew scrutiny.
- German figures including DFB president Bernd Neuendorf and coach Julian Nagelsmann declined to criticize the award, underscoring divided reactions as FIFA faces reputational fallout ahead of 2026.