FIFA Peace Prize Winners 2025: Full History and Facts

FIFA launched a brand new peace award in 2025. The FIFA Peace Prize recognizes people who work to bring peace and unity to the world through exceptional actions.

The prize made its debut during the 2026 World Cup draw on December 5, 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

This guide covers everything you need to know about the award’s history and controversies.

What is the FIFA Peace Prize?

The FIFA Peace Prize carries the full name “FIFA Peace Prize – Football Unites the World.” FIFA created it to honor individuals who take extraordinary steps to promote peace globally.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced the award in November 2025. He said the prize recognizes people who work hard to end conflicts and bring communities together.

The award represents more than 5 billion soccer fans worldwide. FIFA plans to present it every year going forward.

FIFA Peace Prize Winners List

The inaugural FIFA Peace Prize was presented on December 5, 2025, during the 2026 World Cup draw ceremony at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

2025 Winner: President Donald Trump

President Donald Trump received the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Trump called it “truly one of the great honors” of his life.

Trump said during his acceptance speech: “Beyond awards, we saved millions and millions of lives. The fact that we could do that: India, Pakistan, so many different wars that we were able to end, in some cases a little bit before they started.”

Infantino praised Trump during the presentation. He said: “You definitely deserve the first FIFA Peace Prize for your action, for what you have obtained in your way, but you obtained it in an incredible way.”

The award included a medal, trophy and certificate. About 1 billion people worldwide watched the ceremony on television.

FIFA plans to award this prize annually. This section will be updated with new winners each year.

Why FIFA Created This Award

FIFA announced the Peace Prize in November 2025. The timing raised questions because it came just weeks after President Donald Trump failed to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Nobel Committee awarded their 2025 prize to María Corina Machado. She’s a Venezuelan opposition leader who fights for democracy and human rights.

Infantino had publicly supported Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize bid. He posted on Instagram that Trump “definitely deserves” the Nobel for his work on the Israel-Gaza ceasefire.

When Trump didn’t win the Nobel, FIFA moved quickly to create its own peace award. The decision surprised many of FIFA’s senior officials, including board members and vice presidents.

How Winners Get Selected

FIFA has not revealed how it chooses Peace Prize winners. The organization won’t share details about the selection process, criteria, or judging panel.

Human Rights Watch sent FIFA a letter asking for this information. They wanted to know who nominates candidates, who judges nominations, and what standards FIFA uses.

FIFA never responded to their questions.

This lack of transparency troubles many observers. Most legitimate awards have clear rules about nominations, judging, and selection criteria.

Trump’s Acceptance Speech

Trump spoke briefly after receiving the award. He thanked Infantino and FIFA for the honor.

He mentioned several conflicts he claims to have helped end or prevent. Trump specifically cited situations involving India and Pakistan among others.

Trump also praised soccer’s ability to unite countries. He said the 2026 World Cup would be “an event the likes of which maybe the world has never seen based on the enthusiasm that I’ve seen.”

The president called the United States “the hottest country anywhere in the world” and expressed confidence about hosting a successful tournament.

Criticism From Human Rights Groups

Multiple human rights organizations spoke out against the FIFA Peace Prize creation and selection process.

The NAACP criticized the award before it was presented. Jamal Watkins is a senior vice president at the organization. He called the idea of giving Trump a peace prize “actually laughable.”

Human Rights Watch pointed out the secretive nature of the selection. Minky Worden from Human Rights Watch said her organization received no answers about how FIFA decides winners.

FairSquare director Nick McGeehan expressed concern that the prize could harm “the integrity and reputation of the game.”

The Award Ceremony

The first FIFA Peace Prize presentation happened during the 2026 World Cup draw. The event took place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

About 1 billion people worldwide watched the World Cup draw. This gave FIFA a massive global audience for presenting its new peace prize.

The ceremony featured entertainment reflecting Trump’s preferences. Andrea Bocelli performed. The Village People closed the show with “Y.M.C.A.”

The ceremony included leaders from all three World Cup host countries. The United States, Mexico, and Canada will jointly host the 2026 tournament.

Comparison to the Nobel Peace Prize

The FIFA Peace Prize borrows its name and concept from the Nobel Peace Prize. But the two awards differ in major ways.

The Nobel Peace Prize has existed since 1901. It has clear criteria and a transparent selection process. The Norwegian Nobel Committee announces nominees and explains their reasoning.

FIFA’s peace prize was created suddenly with no transparency. Many observers question whether it carries the same legitimacy as established peace awards.

Interestingly, María Corina Machado dedicated part of her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump. She thanked him for his “decisive support” of Venezuela’s democratic cause.

Future FIFA Peace Prize Winners

FIFA plans to award the Peace Prize every year. But questions remain about how future winners will be selected.

Will FIFA create a transparent selection process? Will they form a proper judging committee? Will they accept nominations from the public?

FIFA hasn’t answered any of these questions. The organization continues to keep the entire process secret.

The second FIFA Peace Prize in 2026 might reveal FIFA’s true intentions. If they develop a real selection process, the award could gain credibility.

What This Means for Global Soccer

The Peace Prize controversy shows how sports organizations can become tangled in politics even when they claim neutrality.

FIFA’s statutes require political neutrality. The organization is supposed to stay out of political conflicts and avoid taking sides.

Whether the award gains legitimacy depends on what FIFA does next. Future winners will show whether this prize becomes a respected honor or remains controversial.

This section will be updated regularly as new FIFA Peace Prize winners are announced each year.