Infantino introduces FIFA Peace Prize with Trump as likely recipient

• FIFA is introducing a new annual award, the FIFA Peace Prize, to be presented after the World Cup draw.
• Donald Trump is widely rumored to be the inaugural recipient, sparking concerns about FIFA’s neutrality.
• Human rights groups question the prize’s selection process and FIFA’s close ties with political leaders.

As soccer fans around the world prepare to watch the World Cup draw on December 5, FIFA President Gianni Infantino will also present a newly created accolade: the FIFA Peace Prize.

The award, introduced in November, is described by FIFA as recognizing individuals who have taken “exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace and by doing so have united people across the world.”

While FIFA says the prize represents the support of more than 5 billion soccer fans globally, details about how the recipient is selected remain unclear. Speculation is rife that US President Donald Trump will receive the inaugural award.

- Ceremony details -

The Peace Prize will be presented immediately following the World Cup draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., just minutes from the White House. Trump currently serves as Board Chair of the Kennedy Center following a leadership overhaul.

- Trump as the likely recipient? -

Although FIFA has not confirmed the winner, Infantino has publicly expressed admiration for Trump. The two have been seen together at multiple events, including Trump’s inauguration and the Sharm El-Sheikh peace summit. Infantino also supported Trump’s bid for the Nobel Peace Prize last year, which ultimately went to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado.

A day before the Peace Prize announcement, Infantino told Instagram followers that Trump “definitely” deserved it. Kalshi’s prediction as of Thursday morning suggests a 91 percent likelihood that Trump will win.

Trump is also scheduled to attend the World Cup draw alongside leaders from co-host nations Mexico and Canada.

- Human rights groups raise concerns -

The prize has drawn criticism from advocacy and human rights organizations, who warn that FIFA risks compromising its political neutrality.

FairSquare director Nick McGeehan told CNN Sports, “Gianni Infantino’s decision to hitch FIFA to Trump’s MAGA project might make short term commercial sense for FIFA but it is obviously very harmful to the integrity and reputation of the game.”

Human Rights Watch director of global initiatives Minky Worden said, “We do not have an answer to that, which you could infer that there is no process, there are no other nominees, there was no judging.”

- FIFA’s response -

FIFA maintains that the president’s interactions with political leaders are part of his role, especially given the United States, Mexico, and Canada will host the 2026 World Cup.

“Since the awarding of the United Bid for Canada, Mexico and United States to host the FIFA World Cup 2026, the FIFA President has enjoyed a strong relationship with President Trump, along with leaders from fellow co-hosts Canada and Mexico,” the organization told CNN. “This has resulted in close collaboration leading to the formation of the White House Task Force for the FIFA World Cup.”