FIFA has unveiled plans to introduce a new award, the FIFA Peace Prize, which will debut during the World Cup draw on December 5 in Washington, the United States.
According to the global football body, the honour is designed to “recognize exceptional actions for peace.”
Speaking on Wednesday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino declined to confirm whether U.S. President Donald Trump, a close ally, would be the first to receive the award.
“On the 5th of December, you will see,” Infantino told reporters at the America Business Forum in Miami, held shortly after Trump addressed the same event.
Earlier in the day, Infantino stressed the importance of recognizing efforts to foster harmony in today’s tense global climate.
“In an increasingly unsettled and divided world, it’s fundamental to recognize the outstanding contribution of those who work hard to end conflicts and bring people together in a spirit of peace,” he said.
FIFA noted that the award, to be presented annually “on behalf of fans from all around the world,” will be personally handed out by Infantino this year.
Explaining the timing, Infantino added that the World Cup draw offers “the right platform to award somebody who has done so much, or is doing so much, for peace because we need that football helps a little bit but then we need leaders who push it into the goal right and to score the goal.”
Trump, who maintains a close friendship with Infantino, was overlooked for the Nobel Peace Prize last month despite lobbying from several Republicans, world leaders, and his own campaign.
Infantino did not shy away from acknowledging his strong ties with the U.S. president, saying, “I have a great relationship with President Trump, I am really lucky. I have a great relationship with President Trump, who I consider really a close friend but of course he’s been very helpful in everything we do for the World Cup.”
FIFA’s connection to Trump deepened recently with the appointment of Ivanka Trump, his daughter, to the board of a $100 million education initiative partially funded through 2026 World Cup ticket sales.
