• Donald Trump awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize during the 2026 World Cup draw.
• FIFA President Gianni Infantino lauds Trump's peace efforts amid widespread criticism.
• The award ceremony was full of political undertones with high-profile attendees.
• Critics question the neutrality of FIFA in awarding the prize to a controversial political figure.
• Trump claims to have saved millions of lives through diplomatic interventions, though many question these assertions.

United States President Donald Trump was awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize at the 2026 World Cup draw event held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented the award, referencing Trump's "extraordinary" contributions towards peace and unity globally, particularly his alleged efforts in international conflicts such as the Gaza ceasefire and the tensions between various nations. Infantino stated, “You definitely deserve the first FIFA Peace Prize for your action, for what you have obtained in your way,” emphasizing Trump's political influence and peace initiatives, according to SCMP, AA, and BBC.

The award, described by Trump as “one of the great honors of my life,” included a large trophy, a gold medal, and a certificate, symbols of his perceived commitment to global peace. Infantino highlighted the significance of this prize, aiming to recognize individuals who perform exceptional actions for peace. However, the timing and context of the award have raised eyebrows, as it comes shortly after reports of Trump’s administration’s controversial military actions, further complicating the narrative around his peace efforts, as noted by Middle East Eye and India Times.

Critics, including former UN official Craig Mokhiber and various human rights advocates, denounced the award as vulgar and pointed out that it contradicts FIFA's long-standing commitment to political neutrality. They believe that celebrating Trump as a figure of peace undermines the significant and ongoing issues related to human rights both domestically in the U.S. and internationally, especially in the context of his foreign policy actions in places such as Gaza and his immigration stance. These perspectives were echoed by several reports highlighting the discord between FIFA's stated values and their treatment of political figures, as articulated by voices from Al Jazeera and Africa News.

The grandeur of the award ceremony reflected Trump's deep connections with Infantino and anticipated the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Infantino’s administration has frequently been accused of prioritizing political affiliations over neutrality, marking a potential departure from FIFA’s established identity. This has led many to question whether the Peace Prize will become a tool for political agendas rather than genuine recognition of peace efforts, as suggested by ongoing criticisms of FIFA's decision-making processes regarding international relations by Middle East Eye and other media sources.