World football governing body Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) announced on Wednesday the creation of a new award, the FIFA Peace Prize, to recognize individuals who have taken exceptional actions to promote peace and unite people across the globe.
The award will be presented annually, with the inaugural edition scheduled for December 3 during the final draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Washington.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized the importance of acknowledging those who work to resolve conflicts and foster unity in an increasingly unsettled world, according to ‘Politico’.
“In an increasingly unsettled and divided world, it’s fundamental to recognize the outstanding contribution of those who work hard to end conflicts and bring people together in a spirit of peace,” Infantino said.
While FIFA has maintained close ties with U.S. President Donald Trump — who has actively pursued peace initiatives during his second term — Trump has notably not received the Nobel Peace Prize, despite his lobbying efforts. The White House criticized the Nobel Committee last month for allegedly “placing politics over peace.”
This announcement came ahead of Infantino’s participation in the US Business Forum in Miami, where President Donald Trump and Argentine star Lionel Messi, winner of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, also spoke, said a news report.
The winner of the inaugural award has not been revealed, but immediate speculation suggests it may go to Trump, an ally of Infantino, who is expected to be present at the 2026 World Cup draw on December 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
FIFA’s recent initiatives have included opening a New York office in Trump Tower and appointing Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, to the board of an education charity project co-funded by World Cup ticket sales, highlighting the organization’s growing engagement with the U.S.
