Trump becomes first recipient of newly introduced FIFA peace prize
US President Donald Trump has become the inaugural winner of the new FIFA Peace Prize.
The award was presented to him on Friday during the group stage draw for the 2026 World Cup in Washington, D.C.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the honour was created this year to recognise “individuals who have taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace and by doing so have united people across the world”.
Trump received a golden trophy, a medal — which he immediately placed around his neck — and a certificate of achievement.
Trump described the recognition as “truly one of the great honours of my life”.
He went on to assert that his administration saved “tens of millions of lives” through diplomatic efforts and had “stopped wars happening just before they started”.
“The Congo is an example, over 10 million people killed, and it was heading for another 10 million very quickly,” the US president said.
“India and Pakistan, so many different wars we were able to end, in some cases just before they started.”
Trump had previously sought the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, but the award went instead to María Corina Machado from Venezuela.
The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.