Trump wins inaugural FIFA Peace Prize

• FIFA has announced the introduction of the ‘FIFA Peace Prize – Football Unites the World’ to reward individuals who have taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace and by doing so have united people across the world.

• US President Donald Trump became the first ever recipient of FIFA’s Peace Prize at the 2026 World Cup draw on December 5.

• Gianni Infantino, the head of world football’s governing body, presented the award during the ceremony at the Kennedy Center in Washington.

What is FIFA?

• Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) exists to govern football and to develop the game around the world. 

• FIFA was founded in Paris on May 21, 1904, with a view to organising the world’s most popular sport. The foundation act was signed by representatives from France, Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

• The FIFA Member Associations are at the centre of football’s global ecosystem, representing 211 countries and territories across six continents. 

• These associations are responsible for the development and governance of football within their territory, including organising competitions, nurturing grassroots programmes, and promoting the sport at all levels. 

• FIFA supports them financially and logistically through various programmes. As representatives of FIFA in their countries, they have obligations to respect the statutes, aims and ideals of football's governing body and promote and manage the sport accordingly.

• The FIFA Council is the main decision making body of the organisation in the intervals of FIFA Congress.

• The final composition of the FIFA Council consists of 37 members: one president, elected by the FIFA Congress; eight vice presidents, and 28 other members elected by the member associations – each for a term of four years. 

• A minimum of one female representative must be elected per confederation. 

• The president and the members of the Council may serve for no more than three terms of office (whether consecutive or not).

FIFA Peace Prize

• The FIFA Peace Prize will be bestowed on behalf of all football-loving people from all around the world. 

• With their daily actions in and for football, all these people contribute to FIFA’s motto “Football Unites the World” as they unite girls and boys, women and men around passion, joy, hope and happiness and it is therefore only fitting that a special award recognises a special achievement.

• The award will be presented to individuals who, through their unwavering commitment and their special actions, have helped to unite people all over the world in peace and consequently deserve a special and unique recognition.

• This prize will be bestowed annually.