FIFA Reviews Future of Inaugural Peace Prize Awarded to Donald Trump
FIFA is reviewing the future of its inaugural peace prize awarded to US President Donald Trump following mounting criticism from football associations and shifting geopolitical realities.
Less than a year after FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented Donald Trump with the organization's inaugural peace prize, the future of the accolade remains uncertain. During a meeting in Zurich, the FIFA Council decided to refer the decision on whether to continue awarding the prize and revise its criteria to the organization's Social Responsibility Committee. This move follows mounting criticism from various football associations and coincides with increasing pressure on Infantino's leadership.
The Origins of the Prize and Trump's Recognition
FIFA established the peace prize in November 2025 to honor individuals who have united people globally through unwavering commitment and exceptional actions. A month later, at the draw for the 2026 World Cup in Washington, Infantino presented the award to the US president. Trump described the recognition as one of the greatest honors of his life. However, the geopolitical landscape shifted dramatically shortly thereafter, following joint US-Israeli military strikes against Iran that sparked a broader regional conflict.
Mounting Criticism and Committee Review
Opposition to the award has been vocal. In June, Norwegian Football Federation President Lise Klaveness announced her organization supported filing a formal complaint against FIFA over the decision. The matter now rests with FIFA's 23-member Social Responsibility Committee, chaired by Myanmar Football Federation President Zaw Zaw, with former Argentine defender Javier Zanetti serving as vice-chair. Debbie Hewitt, president of the English Football Association and a FIFA Council member, stated that the committee will examine whether the prize should exist, how the original decision was made, and if it should be awarded again. Meanwhile, Infantino also faced fierce criticism during the tense meeting over a controversial commercial project, prompting him to issue an apology to council members.
