The FIFA Peace Prize may soon become a historical footnote, potentially leaving U.S. President Donald Trump as its sole recipient. Less than a year after the award was launched with much fanfare, members of the FIFA Council are now calling for its total abolition or a complete overhaul of its criteria. The controversy stems from the decision by FIFA President Gianni Infantino to honor Trump during a lavish ceremony at the Kennedy Center, a move that critics argue shifted the organization’s focus away from sports and deep into the volatile realm of global politics.
The timing of the award sparked immediate backlash, arriving shortly after deadly airstrikes were carried out by the Trump administration and preceding an escalation of conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran. While Infantino defended the choice by citing Trump’s efforts toward ceasefires in Gaza, detractors point to the irony of granting a peace prize amidst active warfare. Human rights groups and players alike have voiced their disapproval, with Australian midfielder Jackson Irvine suggesting that such decisions make a mockery of FIFA’s own human rights policies and disconnect the leadership from the grassroots spirit of the game.
Pressure has mounted from within football’s governing structures as well, with the Norwegian Football Association arguing that giving political awards falls entirely outside FIFA’s mandate. They contend that organizations like the Nobel Institute are better equipped to handle such honors independently. These demands for transparency coincided with broader criticisms of Infantino’s tenure, including disputes over his plans to open premium World Cup competitions to private investors.
To address the growing unrest, FIFA has tasked its twenty two member Football Social Responsibility Committee with reviewing how the prize originated and whether it should continue to exist. Vice President Debbie Hewitt indicated that the committee will scrutinize who made the initial decision and whether reforming the process is possible. A final recommendation is expected before the next council meeting in Doha on December 16, which will determine if football’s most controversial trophy is permanently retired.
