Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) President Gianni Infantino presented President Donald Trump with the first “FIFA Peace Prize – Football Unites the World,” honoring the U.S. leader for what the organization called his “notable leadership” in advancing global peace.
Infantino personally presented the prize on stage at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, during a live global broadcast of the 2026 FIFA World Cup group-stage draw, the event that randomly assigns qualified teams into groups to determine their opponents and match schedule. The event took place on Dec. 5.
He praised Trump as a “close friend” deserving of the honor.
“You definitely deserve the first FIFA Peace Prize for your action, for what you have obtained in your way,” Infantino said, according to the Associated Press.
FIFA announced the institution of the prize in November, shortly after Trump was not selected for the Nobel Peace Prize. FIFA’s prize is a new annual accolade “to recognise exceptional actions for peace and unity” according to Infantino’s Instagram caption.
Trump received three separate items during the live ceremony: a gold trophy depicting hands holding up the world, a gold medal, and a certificate.
In his brief acceptance speech, Trump called it “one of the great honors of my life,” and thanked his family, including his wife, First Lady Melania Trump.
“The world is a safer place now,” Trump said. “We saved millions and millions of lives.”
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