In an extraordinary event that brought together the worlds of politics and sports, FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented the FIFA Peace Prize to US President Donald Trump. This honor, the first of its kind in the federation's history, was bestowed during the draw ceremony for the 2026 World Cup, held in Washington, D.C., on Friday, before a large international audience.
Details of the tribute at the Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts hosted a dazzling 30-minute show before the drawing ceremony, during which President Trump took to the stage to accept the award from Infantino. In his acceptance speech, Trump expressed his deep gratitude, saying, “This is truly one of the greatest honors of my life. Beyond the awards… we have saved millions of lives.” This statement comes as the US president continues to emphasize his role in promoting global stability during his time in office.
Background and significance of the award
FIFA explained in an official statement that this newly established award was created to recognize individuals who have taken exceptional actions to promote peace and unite people. It is worth noting that FIFA announced the award last month, a move that garnered attention in both sporting and political circles, particularly as it was granted without prior, detailed approval from the FIFA Council, thus giving it a unique character linked to the current president's vision.
Historical context: The “United 2026” file
This recognition cannot be separated from the role played by the Trump administration during its first term in office in securing the 2026 World Cup. Trump was a strong supporter of the joint bid (United States, Canada, Mexico), known as “United 2026,” which won the hosting rights in 2018 over Morocco’s bid. The US administration at the time provided strong government guarantees to FIFA, including facilitated entry and visas for fans and teams, which was a cornerstone of the bid’s success.
The importance of the 2026 World Cup and its global impact
The draw ceremony and this award take on added significance given the nature of the upcoming World Cup. The 2026 edition will be the largest in the tournament's history, featuring 48 teams for the first time instead of 32, with matches being held in three different countries across North America. Observers believe that awarding the Peace Prize at this time reflects FIFA's desire to promote the concept of "football diplomacy," leveraging the world's biggest sporting event to build bridges between peoples and political leaders, and to emphasize the power of sport to transcend geographical and political boundaries.
