Will FIFA Revoke Trump’s Peace Prize After Controversy?

A few days after FIFA awarded U.S. President Donald Trump the "FIFA Peace Prize" for the first time in the organization’s history on December 5, rumors began circulating on social media that the honor had been revoked. The chatter followed reports that FIFA Council members had launched an internal review of the selection process.

Some posts claimed the award had been approved solely by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, without a vote or input from the executive council. Others suggested the review had uncovered “serious procedural violations” and that FIFA officials were reportedly unaware the award even existed.

FIFA Has Not Revoked Trump’s FIFA Peace Award

After reviewing FIFA’s recent official data, Misbar found no reports or statements suggesting that the award could be revoked from Trump or that an official investigation had been launched.

How Trump Received the FIFA Peace Prize

On December 5, 2025, FIFA President Gianni Infantino joined U.S. President Donald Trump at an official ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, where Trump was presented with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize.

The newly established prize was awarded during the draw for the 2026 World Cup.

Trump thanked FIFA, calling the honor “one of the greatest recognitions of my life.” He was widely expected to receive the first edition of the prize, which was created by the international football federation.

Infantino had previously stated that he believed Trump deserved a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in mediating a ceasefire during the Israeli conflict in Gaza.

The ceremony took place before the final draw for the 2026 World Cup, with Infantino presenting the award “in recognition of exceptional actions to promote peace and unity in the world,” according to FIFA.

The prize includes a sculpture by Azerbaijani artists who have exhibited their work at the United Nations, along with a commemorative medal and certificate.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also attended the ceremony, as their countries will co-host the tournament with the United States next year.

Controversy Erupts Over FIFA Peace Prize Awarded to Trump

The awarding of the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize to U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked widespread criticism in sports and human rights circles, followed by official complaints against FIFA President Gianni Infantino over alleged breaches of political neutrality.

Media reports described the prize as a “blatant political bias,” noting that it was newly created, previously unknown, and lacked publicly stated criteria for selecting a winner.

According to the Associated Press, FIFA officials themselves were unaware of the existence of the “FIFA Peace Prize” before it was announced at the Washington ceremony. Internal sources told the agency that some only learned about the award through media coverage, not from FIFA.

London-based human rights group FairSquare filed a complaint with FIFA’s Ethics Committee, alleging “clear violations” of FIFA’s legal obligation to maintain political neutrality.

FIFA’s Code of Ethics allows for penalties of up to a two-year ban from football-related activities for violations of political neutrality. It remains unclear whether the Ethics Committee will take up the case.

The report noted that Infantino expressed support for Trump earlier this year, including statements claiming the U.S. president “deserved a Nobel Peace Prize” despite not receiving one. It also highlighted Infantino’s growing political ties to the United States ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, a tournament expected to generate more than $10 billion for FIFA.

In its eight-page complaint, FairSquare argued that “awarding this type of prize to a political leader while in office constitutes a clear violation of the duty of political neutrality.” The group also noted that FIFA has yet to clarify how Infantino created the prize or who approved it.

FairSquare added, “If Mr. Infantino acted unilaterally without legal authority, this represents a serious abuse of power.”

Human Rights Watch confirmed that FIFA has not provided any explanation regarding the selection process for the FIFA Peace Prize awarded to Trump, despite repeated official requests for information about the prize’s creation and criteria.

In a statement on its website, the organization said it asked FIFA about the selection process, including whether there was a shortlist of candidates, the identity of the committee overseeing the award, and the criteria used to evaluate nominees. FIFA did not respond before the report’s publication.

Human Rights Watch said the lack of information and FIFA’s non-response “indicates the absence of a clear mechanism or transparent evaluation process,” adding that awarding a prize called “Peace” without disclosing the selection process or decision-makers “raises serious questions about the integrity of the process.”

2026 FIFA World Cup Draw

The 2026 FIFA World Cup finals are set to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, featuring a record 104 matches across 16 host cities. The tournament will open with a match between Mexico and South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, followed by a game between South Korea and a playoff qualifier.

The World Cup draw ceremony was attended by the leaders of the three host nations: U.S. President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. The trio appeared on stage alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino and personally drew several balls, an unusual move in the traditionally formal draw proceedings.

The ceremony featured a festive atmosphere, including a large visual presentation tracing the history of the World Cup since 1930, musical performances, and appearances by several football legends. A promotional segment highlighted the host cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, showcasing new stadiums and infrastructure set to host the matches.

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