While teams and fans waited for group announcements, the US President was presented with the very first FIFA Peace Prize in an opulent ceremony filled with glitz, controversy, and plenty of celebrity faces. What exactly happened, and why is the football world buzzing about Trump’s new title?
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FIFA launches its first-ever Peace Prize—awards Trump amid World Cup spectacle
In an evening usually reserved for all things football, this draw was different. FIFA set the stage at the Kennedy Center for a new kind of award—one designed to honour
“those who unite people for peace with unwavering commitment and notable action.”
The organisation’s president, Gianni Infantino, personally handed the oversize trophy to Donald Trump, praising his “extraordinary acts for the promotion of peace and unity in the world.” The audience, peppered with diplomats, football officials, and an array of celebrities, watched as the spotlight shifted firmly to Trump.
This special FIFA Peace Prize was devised just ahead of the 2026 tournament, co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada—not long after Trump publicly campaigned for a Nobel Prize and attached his name to the American Institute of Peace. The award’s selection process, while celebrated, remains partly unclear. The Burmese business magnate Zaw Zaw, described as the head of FIFA's new “social responsibility” commission, is rumoured to be shaping its future guidelines.
Trump claims global peace achievements as critics question the narrative
Always one for the grand gesture, Donald Trump seized his moment on the World Cup stage with a speech referencing huge international influence. He went as far as to state he had “saved millions of lives” in places such as the Congo, India, and Pakistan, and paint himself as a vital peace-broker in recent global crises.
“I have helped prevent or resolve conflicts in many parts of the world,” he told the crowded hall, before congratulating FIFA for shattering ticket sales records and hailing this World Cup as “an unprecedented event.”
But not everyone accepts Trump’s version of his international legacy. Multiple outlets have pointed out that many of his claims, especially regarding conflict resolution in Israel-Iran and the Gaza situation, are highly debated or even contradicted by on-the-ground developments. Critics have also highlighted reports of controversial military operations abroad during his presidency, which sit uneasily with the “peace-maker” label.
The new prize hasn’t calmed the tension. With Trump’s daughter Ivanka recently named to a FIFA-funded educational council, speculation has swirled about deepening ties between the governing body and Trump’s circle. For some, this all adds up to a growing use of sporting platforms for personal political gain as the US, Canada, and Mexico gear up to share the biggest World Cup in history—expanded to 48 teams, with newcomers like Curaçao and Uzbekistan ready to make their mark.
Showbiz fever, public confusion, and a footballing circus
This wasn’t just a night of trophies and speeches; the whole draw took a surreal turn. Hosted by comedian Kevin Hart and model Heidi Klum, the event saw music stars Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger, and the Village People try to fire up the crowd—though audience reactions ran lukewarm. NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal and ex-England star Rio Ferdinand added some sparkle, with Ferdinand struggling to inject real football energy into what quickly became more of a spectacle than a sporting moment.
Trump, meanwhile, used the global stage to revive an old pet peeve: the confusing American “football” moniker. He amused and bemused the crowd by suggesting the US rename its version of football (the NFL variety), so soccer could claim the word “football” outright, just like everywhere else. “It really doesn't make sense,” he said, stirring yet another debate that’s raged for decades among sports fans.
As for the draw—England landed in what many see as a friendly group with Croatia, Panama, and Ghana, while Scotland finally returns after a 28-year World Cup absence to face Brazil, Haiti, and Morocco. The night closed, fittingly, with the Village People’s “YMCA”—a nod to Trump’s now-iconic dance moves that have been a staple at his rallies.
Spotlight, scepticism, and the future of football diplomacy
The debut of FIFA’s Peace Prize, and Trump’s headline-grabbing acceptance, has set off heated conversations about the intersection of sport, politics, and image-making. While Infantino gushed that this would be “the greatest spectacle humanity has ever seen,” some guests and fans left scratching their heads over the ceremony’s direction and the wisdom of adding showbiz theatrics to football’s biggest stage. With ticket prices climbing, scrutiny of FIFA’s choices has only intensified—especially given the backdrop of political divides and Trump’s ongoing quest for the spotlight.
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Sources used:
Trump awarded inaugural Fifa peace prize at World Cup draw in Washington
