United States President Donald Trump received the first-ever Fifa Peace Prize on Friday in Washington DC, just before the draw for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
The award, launched this year by Fifa President Gianni Infantino, recognises individuals who have made “exceptional and extraordinary contributions to peace” and have worked to unite people globally. Trump’s selection had been widely expected, following his recent public appearances alongside Infantino.
At the ceremony, Trump was presented with a large golden trophy, a medal, and a certificate. He took the stage to address the audience, highlighting his diplomatic achievements.
“This is truly one of the great honours of my life,” Trump said, claiming that his interventions had saved “tens of millions of lives” and prevented wars from breaking out.
He also praised Infantino and spoke about the unprecedented interest in the upcoming World Cup. “Gianni has done an incredible job. It is a nice tribute to you and the game of football, or as we call it soccer. It is beyond the numbers we thought were possible.”
Trump described the United States as having regained a strong position globally. “The world is a safer place now. The USA was not doing well a year ago; now we are the hottest country in the world right now.”
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19.
After his speech, Trump joined Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney for the ceremonial draw. Each leader revealed their country’s assigned ball, after which the three posed for a selfie with Infantino.
Mexico was placed in Group A and will play in the tournament’s opening match, Canada in Group B, and the United States in Group D.
Trump concluded with a joke about the difference between American football and global football: “We have to find another name for the NFL. This is football, we call it soccer here in the USA but it is really football. It doesn’t make sense that we call it soccer.”
