President Trump described receiving the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize as “truly one of the great honors” of his life during the 2026 World Cup Draw on Friday. The prize, largely symbolic, comes months after Trump was not awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, despite emphasizing foreign diplomacy during his second term.
Speaking at Washington, D.C.’s Kennedy Center, Trump highlighted his role in preventing conflicts, claiming his administration “saved millions and millions of lives” in countries including India and Pakistan. He praised soccer for its ability to unite nations and called the upcoming World Cup an event “the likes of which maybe the world has never seen” because of its anticipated enthusiasm. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the award recognizes Trump’s “unwavering commitment to advancing peace and unity throughout the world through notable leadership.”
Trump has publicly claimed to have ended multiple wars and recently signed a peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. At the draw, he was joined by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, whose countries will host World Cup matches. Sports legends Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, and Shaquille O’Neal also attended.
The award comes amid continued interest in Trump’s foreign policy efforts, which some supporters feel have overshadowed domestic priorities. While FIFA decides World Cup match locations, Trump’s control over international logistics and player visas has influenced planning, particularly after he threatened to relocate matches from cities that did not align with his policies. This focus on global affairs has prompted some MAGA supporters to question whether the former president is straying from his “America First” platform.