Trump receives inaugural FIFA Peace prize

United States President Donald Trump was honoured with the first-ever Fifa Peace Prize on Friday in Washington DC, shortly before the official draw for the 2026 Fifa World Cup

The new award was created this year by Fifa President Gianni Infantino to recognise an individual judged to have taken “exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace” and for helping to unite people across the globe.

Trump’s selection had been widely anticipated, especially following his recent public appearances alongside Infantino.

At the ceremony, Trump received a large golden trophy, along with a medal and certificate, before addressing the audience.

“This is truly one of the great honours of my life.”

He claimed his diplomatic interventions had saved “tens of millions of lives” and prevented multiple wars from breaking out.

He also praised Infantino and spoke glowingly about the scale of the 2026 World Cup.

“Gianni has done an incredible job. It is a nice tribute to you and the game of football, or as we call it soccer. It is beyond the numbers we thought were possible.”

Trump went further to declare that the United States had bounced back strongly on the global stage.

“The world is a safer place now. The USA was not doing well a year ago; now we are the hottest country in the world right now.”

The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico and is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19.

After his speech, Trump returned to the stage alongside Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney to carry out the ceremonial opening of the draw. Each leader picked out the ball of their respective country, with all three teams already assigned their groups. Infantino later took a selfie with the trio.

Mexico will compete in Group A and also feature in the tournament’s opening match. Canada were placed in Group B, while the United States will play from Group D.

Trump once again referenced record-breaking ticket interest and joked about the long-running name debate between American football and global football.

“We have to find another name for the NFL. This is football, we call it soccer here in the USA but it is really football. It doesn’t make sense that we call it soccer.”