Sports
FIFA to Launch Peace Prize at 2026 World Cup Draw to Promote Unity in Football
FIFA has announced a new annual award, the FIFA Peace Prize, which will be presented for the first time during the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., world football’s governing body confirmed on Wednesday.
In a statement, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the initiative aims to honour individuals who use football as a tool to foster unity and hope across communities worldwide.
“Football stands for peace, and on behalf of the entire global football community, the FIFA Peace Prize, Football Unites the World will recognize the enormous efforts of those individuals who unite people, bringing hope for future generations,” Infantino said.
The announcement came just before Infantino’s appearance at the America Business Forum in Miami, where U.S. President Donald Trump and Argentine World Cup champion Lionel Messi were also speakers.
While the recipient of the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize has not yet been revealed, speculation quickly spread that it could go to Trump, a close ally of Infantino, who is expected to attend the December 5 draw at the Kennedy Center in the U.S. capital.
Trump, flanked by Infantino, previously announced from the Oval Office in August that the World Cup draw would take place at the Kennedy Center, a venue where he now serves as chairman, describing his leadership as part of a war against “woke” culture.
Since returning to office for a second term in January, Trump has repeatedly claimed he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in resolving international conflicts. However, the Norwegian Nobel Committee last month awarded the prestigious honour instead to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
