The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw took on an surprising political tone as FIFA President Gianni Infantino introduced the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize to United States President Donald Trump. The award ceremony, held on the Kennedy Centre in Washington, D.C., marked the primary version of the accolade, which FIFA launched this 12 months to honour people who, in its phrases, take “distinctive and extraordinary actions for peace” and unite folks the world over.
The prize was introduced as a part of a world broadcast and featured a pre-recorded video montage highlighting world leaders, together with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alongside clips of Trump discussing diplomacy. The narrator credited Trump for serving to “dealer ceasefires and promote diplomatic engagements,” describing his presidency as one outlined by makes an attempt to “pursue peace around the globe.”
“That is really one of many nice honours of my life. Past awards, what issues most is that we saved hundreds of thousands and hundreds of thousands of lives. The Congo is an instance. Over 10 million folks have been killed, and it was heading for one more 10 million in a short time. The truth that we have been capable of step in and assist cease that’s one thing I’m very pleased with. India–Pakistan as properly, and so many various conflicts we have been capable of finish, in some circumstances even earlier than they really began,” Trump stated after receiving the award.
“It was going to be late, however we bought them carried out. And it’s such an honour to be with Gianni (Infantino). I’ve recognized Gianni for therefore lengthy. He has carried out an unimaginable job, and I’ve to say, you’ve set new data. Ticket gross sales, and to not deliver that up now, but it surely’s a beautiful tribute to you and to the sport of soccer, or as we name it, soccer. The numbers are past something anybody thought potential, even past what Gianni believed may occur,” he added.
Trump, who has repeatedly described himself as a “president of peace,” accepted the award with a medal round his neck beside a gold trophy depicting palms holding up the globe. Throughout his speech, he claimed credit score for ending a number of international conflicts, together with the India-Pakistan and Russia-Ukraine wars, whereas persevering with to place himself as a candidate deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize. He has even renamed the U.S. Institute of Peace to the Donald J. Trump United States Institute of Peace in current weeks.
Infantino, standing beside the trophy bearing Trump’s identify, praised the president in emphatic phrases.
The award generated rapid dialog throughout each sporting and political circles. Whereas FIFA emphasised that the choice was made on behalf of “over 5 billion soccer followers,” critics questioned the optics of merging international soccer ceremonies with political messaging.
– Ends
Leave a Reply