Donald Trump 'expected' to receive FIFA Peace Prize at 2026 World Cup draw

Tom Weber

• 3 Dec 2025 12:55 CST
• 3 min read

News

US president Donald Trump will be in attendance at the upcoming 2026 World Cup draw and is reportedly in line to receive FIFA's inaugural Peace Prize.

Football's governing body announced in November that it would hand out its newly-created award at the upcoming World Cup draw, which will take place at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, on 5 December.

“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," a statement from FIFA and president Gianni Infantino read.

“Football stands for peace, and on behalf of the entire global football community, the FIFA Peace Prize - Football Unites the World will recognise the enormous efforts of those individuals who unite people, bringing hope for future generations.”

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Trump will attend the draw, and he is "expected" to be named the FIFA Peace Prize's inaugural winner after being snubbed for the Nobel Peace Prize in October.

World Cup draw an event of contrasts

The 2026 World Cup draw is bound to be an event of stark contrasts, with the awarding of the Peace Prize to Trump only the tip of the iceberg. Those who have followed World Cup news in recent days will, of course, be aware that Iran is boycotting the draw.

Several members of Team Melli's travelling delegation were refused visas, including the federation's president, and therefore made the decision to stay away from the event altogether.

Trump hit Iran and 18 other countries, including fellow World Cup participants Haiti, with a travel ban in early June. At the end of that month, he intervened in the Israel-Iran war by authorising the bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities without prior approval from Congress.

Trump also currently stands accused of preparing a possible invasion of Venezuela to remove Nicolas Maduro from power in the South American country. The US has deployed significant numbers of military assets in the Caribbean and unilaterally declared Venezuela's airspace as 'closed in its entirety' on Saturday.

Since September, at least 83 people have been killed in attacks on alleged drug boats, which rights experts and legal scholars have denounced as "extrajudicial killings." In November, following a new attack, Maduro pleaded with Trump not to start a "crazy war."

To put it diplomatically, there may be more deserving winners of FIFA's inaugural Peace Prize.

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