Donald Trump was awarded FIFA's first-ever Peace Prize during the 2026 World Cup draw ceremony held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. The announcement by FIFA President Giovanni Infantino left many viewers perplexed, particularly as the accolade was revealed shortly after Trump was passed over for the Nobel Peace Prize. The governing body stated that the prize aims to recognise individuals who have made exceptional contributions to peace and have united people globally. However, there was no formal selection process, and candidates were not publicly disclosed. In his acceptance speech, Trump claimed, "This is truly one of the great honours of my life," and asserted, "We’ve saved millions and millions of lives," citing conflicts in the Congo and the India-Pakistan region as examples of his peace efforts. He added, "Some wars we've ended just before they started." Trump expressed gratitude towards his family and specifically thanked First Lady Melania Trump. He highlighted the collaborative relationship between the United States, Canada, and Mexico, stating, "We have a great working relationship with Canada and the prime minister of Canada is there. We have our president of Mexico there, and we’ve worked closely with those two countries." He continued, "Most importantly, I just want to thank everybody. The world is a safer place now. The United States a year ago was not doing too well. Now it’s the hottest country anywhere in the world right now. And we’re going to keep it that way." The relationship between Infantino and Trump has come under scrutiny, with FIFA recently clarifying their connection. A statement from FIFA noted, "Since the awarding of the United Bid for Canada, Mexico and United States to host the FIFA World Cup 2026, the FIFA President has enjoyed a strong relationship with President Trump, along with leaders from fellow co-hosts Canada and Mexico. This has resulted in close collaboration leading to the formation of the White House Task Force for the FIFA World Cup." The award has sparked debate regarding its legitimacy and the criteria for selection, raising questions about the motivations behind FIFA's decision to honour Trump in this manner.