FIFA has addressed the backlash regarding Donald Trump’s selection for the organization’s peace award.
In an unexpected decision, the FIFA soccer organization honored President Donald Trump with their 2025 peace prize just before the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on December 5.
Trump expressed great satisfaction upon receiving a golden trophy, medal, and certificate from FIFA president Gianni Infantino. He had previously expressed frustration at not winning the Nobel Peace Prize a few months earlier, arguing he deserved it for allegedly preventing multiple conflicts and saving millions of lives since his return to the White House.
FIFA describes the award as one that acknowledges ‘individuals who have taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace and by doing so have united people across the world’. This recognition seems at odds with Trump’s recent threats of military action against other nations.
Trump has claimed successes like the capture of Venezuela’s President, Nicolas Maduro, following a secretive operation, while also issuing threats of military action against Iran, Mexico, Colombia, and the NATO ally, Greenland.
Nevertheless, FIFA reaffirmed its support for Donald Trump and his eligibility for the award in a recent statement.
A spokesperson explained to the Guardian: “FIFA strongly supports its annual peace prize, an award to recognize exceptional actions for peace and unity. FIFA notes the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize recipient [the Venezuelan opposition leader, María Corina Machado] has given her medal to President Trump.
“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.”
Concerns have arisen over the potential loss of longstanding allies due to the Greenland issue.
Trump has argued that acquiring Greenland is a security necessity, claiming that Russia and China have taken control of the area, although it remains under Danish governance. He has threatened to impose additional tariffs on nations opposing his ambition to annex Greenland.
European governments, including the UK, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, issued a joint statement expressing concern that this move could damage international relations.
The statement declared: “We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland. Building on the process begun last week, we stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind.”