A significant sense of embarrassment is reportedly spreading among officials within football's global governing body, Fifa, following its decision to award a peace prize to former US President Donald Trump.
A Controversial Honour at the World Cup Draw
The award was presented to Trump during the World Cup draw event in Washington DC in December. Fifa President Gianni Infantino told the former president at the ceremony: "We want to see hope, we want to see unity, we want to see a future. This is what we want to see from a leader and you definitely deserve the first Fifa Peace Prize."
At the time, the selection process for the award was not disclosed, which caused initial unease within the organisation. That feeling has since intensified, with one senior source describing the current mood as one of "deep embarrassment". Multiple officials have voiced their discomfort with how the situation was managed.
Geopolitical Actions Amplify Discomfort
The discomfort has been amplified by subsequent geopolitical events. Since receiving the award, the United States has launched airstrikes in Venezuela and captured the country's president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores. They were flown to the US, where Maduro was jailed. He appeared in court on 5 January, pleading not guilty to charges including drugs, weapons, and "narco-terrorism".
Furthermore, Trump has publicly threatened to invade Greenland, stating the US needs the territory "very badly". These actions have made the decision to grant a peace prize appear increasingly incongruous to many within Fifa.
Shadow Over the 2026 World Cup
The controversy is now casting a long shadow over preparations for the 2026 World Cup, which is to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. A highly placed official, speaking anonymously, admitted that staging the tournament in the US will be a "very delicate" and "difficult" period, both in the lead-up and during the event itself.
It is understood that President Infantino has been left to handle the "political matters" concerning Trump alone, as other officials fear association could tarnish their reputations. "Involving myself in the politics surrounding this World Cup is something I stay far away from. My job concerns football on the pitch and nothing else," one Fifa source stated.
Despite the internal friction, Fifa has publicly doubled down on its decision. A spokesperson stated the organisation "strongly supports its annual peace prize", calling it an award to recognise exceptional actions for peace and unity. They also noted that the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, had given her medal to President Trump.
The spokesperson added: "Fifa has strong relations with President Trump, along with leaders from fellow co-hosts Canada and Mexico. This has resulted in good working relationships leading to, for example in the US, the formation of the White House Task Force for the Fifa World Cup."
