Did FIFA Create a Special Award for Trump

The draw ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup turned into a memorable event for former U.S. President Donald Trump as FIFA presented him with a special "Peace Award."

The announcement of this award was first made a month earlier. FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented Trump with a golden globe, a medal, and a certificate for his "extraordinary contributions to strengthening peace."

Trump described the accolade as "one of the greatest honors" of his life. During the presentation, Infantino said, "This is your award, a peace award."

However, the award has raised numerous questions. Firstly, the decision to create the award was made on November 6, 2025.

On the same day, the Nobel Peace Prize was announced, but it was awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado rather than Trump. Infantino had expressed that he believed Trump deserved a Nobel prize.

After failing to secure that recognition, FIFA decided to create its own award. Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter strongly criticized the decision, stating, "Football should not engage in such awards.

This is wrong." Vyacheslav Koloskov, Honorary President of the Russian Football Union, suggested that the award was a result of personal connections between Trump and Infantino.

The process of granting the award also lacked transparency. It was not approved by the FIFA Council, and neither the nominees nor the selection jury were disclosed.

The "Social Responsibility Committee," which reportedly prepared the award, conducted no formal meetings. This committee was chaired by Zaw Zaw, President of the Myanmar Football Federation.

Zaw Zaw has been accused of human rights violations in the past and has faced sanctions from the United States and the European Union. Infantino referred to Trump as a "close friend" and emphasized his "commitment and determination."

Despite FIFA positioning itself as an apolitical organization, Trump and Infantino have appeared at several political events together. Meanwhile, due to Trump's immigration policies, fans from countries like Iran and Haiti were barred from entering the U.S.

This renders FIFA's "Peace Award" highly controversial. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to begin on June 11.

With 48 teams, three host nations, and record-breaking ticket sales, the tournament is expected to be a historic event. However, it remains to be seen what other awards FIFA may introduce to please close allies in the future.

Ronaldo and Messi have discovered their opponents: the results of the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw have been announced. Read “Zamin” on Telegram!