In a surprise move, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has announced the creation of the Fifa Peace Prize, a new award that aims to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to unity and peace through their work in football. The inaugural winner will be announced on December 5 at the World Cup draw event in Washington D.C., an event that is expected to feature a high-profile appearance by US President Donald Trump.
The Fifa Peace Prize has been dubbed as the sport's version of the Nobel Peace Prize, with Infantino stating that it aims to further football's moral responsibility to unite people. "In an increasingly unsettled and divided world, it's fundamental to recognise the outstanding contribution of those who work hard to end conflicts and bring people together in a spirit of peace," he said.
The timing of the announcement has drawn attention given Trump's own preoccupation with receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, which he has aggressively campaigned for throughout his presidency. In fact, after this year's award went to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, senior White House aides denounced the decision as "politics over peace".
However, Infantino's announcement appears to be part of a broader effort to position football as a global force for dialogue and unity. The Fifa Peace Prize will be presented annually on behalf of all football-loving people from around the world and will be framed as an initiative to promote happiness and unity.
The optics of this announcement have also raised questions about the blurring of sport and diplomacy, particularly given FIFA's close alignment with Trump's administration. Infantino has been keen to emphasize that football exists beyond politics, but it remains to be seen whether this new award can transcend its potential political connotations.
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, which will feature a record 104 matches across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the significance of the Fifa Peace Prize is likely to grow. Whether Infantino's initiative will be successful in promoting unity and peace through football remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the stakes are high for this new award.
The Fifa Peace Prize has been dubbed as the sport's version of the Nobel Peace Prize, with Infantino stating that it aims to further football's moral responsibility to unite people. "In an increasingly unsettled and divided world, it's fundamental to recognise the outstanding contribution of those who work hard to end conflicts and bring people together in a spirit of peace," he said.
The timing of the announcement has drawn attention given Trump's own preoccupation with receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, which he has aggressively campaigned for throughout his presidency. In fact, after this year's award went to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, senior White House aides denounced the decision as "politics over peace".
However, Infantino's announcement appears to be part of a broader effort to position football as a global force for dialogue and unity. The Fifa Peace Prize will be presented annually on behalf of all football-loving people from around the world and will be framed as an initiative to promote happiness and unity.
The optics of this announcement have also raised questions about the blurring of sport and diplomacy, particularly given FIFA's close alignment with Trump's administration. Infantino has been keen to emphasize that football exists beyond politics, but it remains to be seen whether this new award can transcend its potential political connotations.
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, which will feature a record 104 matches across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the significance of the Fifa Peace Prize is likely to grow. Whether Infantino's initiative will be successful in promoting unity and peace through football remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the stakes are high for this new award.
. Don't get me wrong, it's awesome that FIFA wants to promote unity and peace, but we need more concrete actions than just an award. And what about the politics involved? The fact that Trump is getting all up in this, it's like he's trying to use football as a way to boost his own credibility 
. I'd love to see some real commitments from FIFA and their partners to back up this initiative. If we want to make a difference, let's focus on addressing the root causes of conflict rather than just celebrating a feel-good award 
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. Donald Trump might be a wild card, but let's not dismiss the idea of using football to promote unity and peace. It's about time someone took responsibility for making a positive impact 
. And I'm loving how Infantino is framing this as an initiative to promote happiness and unity – that's what it's all about! 
