The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) officially inaugurated its new FIFA Peace Prize on November 6. This prestigious new trophy is slated to be presented to its inaugural winner during the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup 2026 draw ceremony, which will take place in Washington D.C.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino articulated the vision behind the award, emphasizing that football serves as a powerful symbol of peace and global unity. He stated that the FIFA Peace Prize is designed to highlight and celebrate this unifying power of the sport across the world.
The announcement of the new FIFA Peace Prize was made during President Infantino’s appearance at the American Business Forum in Miami. Notably, the event was attended by prominent figures including former U.S. President Donald Trump and Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain, Lionel Messi, adding significant gravitas to the occasion.
While the official nominees for the FIFA Peace Prize have yet to be publicly disclosed, there is widespread expectation that former U.S. President Trump could be a leading candidate. This speculation is fueled by his known alliance with President Infantino. Trump is confirmed to attend the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw, scheduled for December 5 at the iconic Kennedy Center in Washington.
It was President Trump, accompanied by the FIFA President, who first announced from the Oval Office in August that the draw ceremony would be hosted at the Kennedy Center. During that prior announcement, Trump also notably designated himself as the head of a “war on injustice,” which he also referred to as a “war on woke.”
Since returning to a more active public role, President Trump has openly expressed his ambition to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his involvement in resolving various international conflicts, including a notable border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand. However, it is important to note that Trump did not receive the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, which was instead awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado last October.
The FIFA World Cup 2026, set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19. As of now, in addition to the three host nations who qualify automatically, 25 teams have successfully secured their spots, out of an expanded total of 48 participating teams.
