At the 2026 World Cup Draw in Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump accepted the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, calling it “one of the greatest honors” of his life. The award comes just months after he failed to secure the Nobel Peace Prize, despite heavily emphasizing his diplomatic achievements during his second term.
Why This Matters
The FIFA honor is largely symbolic, but it provides Trump with an international platform at a moment when his foreign-policy legacy is under renewed scrutiny.
Trump’s Remarks
Speaking at the Kennedy Center, Trump credited his administration with preventing global conflicts and ending long-standing disputes.
“We saved millions of lives,” he said, claiming credit for de-escalating crises in India, Pakistan, and several other global hotspots.
Trump also praised football’s unifying power and predicted an unprecedented level of excitement for the 2026 World Cup hosted across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Why Trump Was Chosen for the Award
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Trump earned the Peace Prize for showing a “consistent dedication to promoting peace and unity around the world through strong leadership.”
Trump has repeatedly boasted about ending “seven to nine wars,” and this week signed a symbolic peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Event Highlights
The World Cup Draw brought together major North American leaders, including:
- Canadian PM Mark Carney
- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum
The gathering marked Trump’s first in-person interaction with Sheinbaum and his first meeting with Carney since accusing Canada of interfering in a major Supreme Court tariff case.
Sports icons including Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, and Shaquille O’Neal also attended the event.
The Bigger Picture
Trump’s desire for the Nobel Peace Prize has been well documented, and many of his supporters believed he was overlooked when the award went to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado this year.
Although FIFA controls match locations for the World Cup, Trump still holds significant leverage through control of:
- International player visas
- Event security
- Federal-level logistical approvals
This has made FIFA cautious, particularly after Trump warned that host cities not aligned with his agenda risked losing World Cup matches.
