Trump receives FIFA’s inaugural peace prize at World Cup draw

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump was all smiles on Friday as he became the first recipient of FIFA’s newly introduced peace prize — an award critics have described as an unusual move for a body that claims political neutrality.

The prize was handed to Trump during the 2026 World Cup draw ceremony at the Kennedy Center in Washington by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, a long-time ally of the US leader.

“Thank you very much. This is truly one of the great honours of my life,” Trump said, adding that he and Infantino had “saved millions and millions of lives.”

Infantino said Trump was selected for his “exceptional and extraordinary” efforts to promote peace and unity worldwide.

FIFA announced the annual award last month, saying it would recognise individuals who offer “hope for future generations.” Trump’s selection, however, came as little surprise given his close relationship with Infantino, who has visited the White House more frequently than any other foreign figure this year.

Trump has repeatedly claimed he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for what he says are successful efforts to end multiple global conflicts, including negotiating a fragile ceasefire in Gaza. The Norwegian Nobel Committee, however, awarded this year’s prize to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.

The US president has positioned himself at the centre of a “board of peace” for Gaza. Infantino was present at the signing of that agreement in Egypt, and earlier this week the Trump administration renamed a Washington peace institute after him.

The World Cup has become a defining feature of Trump’s second term, reinforcing his political partnership with Infantino. But the award has raised eyebrows, with human rights groups calling for transparency. Human Rights Watch said it has written to FIFA requesting details of the nomination criteria, judging panel and selection process, but has received no response.

The honour also comes at a time when Trump faces mounting criticism from Democrats and rights organisations. His administration has overseen an expanded US military deployment around Venezuela and ordered lethal strikes on boats accused of drug smuggling.

Domestically, Trump has directed a sweeping immigration crackdown, threatened to shift World Cup matches from cities where federal troops have been deployed, and frozen asylum decisions for 19 countries — including World Cup participants Haiti and Iran.

He has also escalated his campaign against political opponents and ideological rivals, while continuing to falsely claim victory in the 2020 election.

Friday’s venue, the Kennedy Center, has become a symbolic battleground for Trump, who appointed himself chairman there this year as part of what he called his fight against “woke” culture.