FIFA President Gianni Infantino has stood firm in defending the decision to award United States President Donald Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, dismissing widespread criticism and rejecting calls for a boycott of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Infantino, speaking in a television interview, insisted Trump was a deserving recipient of the new peace honour, first presented at the World Cup draw ceremony in Washington, DC last December, despite heavy scrutiny from fans, football officials and human rights voices around the world.
Critics have blasted the move as politically charged, especially given Trump’s controversial policies and actions while in office, including immigration enforcement in the United States and foreign policy debates. Some European football figures had floated boycotts of the 2026 tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, in protest.
But Infantino rejected the idea that football should be used as a platform for boycotts, asking, “If there are never calls for businesses to boycott a country, why football?” and underscoring the sport’s role in uniting people across divides.
He told Sky News that “objectively, he deserves it,” referring to Trump’s perceived contributions toward peace and global dialogue — making the case that rewarding such efforts aligns with FIFA’s mission to promote unity through sport.
The FIFA chief also used the appearance to address broader issues, including the notion of allowing Russia back into international football competitions and pushing back against politicised exclusions, saying football should serve as a space for connection rather than division.
Infantino’s position has drawn mixed reactions within the global football community, reflecting deeper debates about the role of politics in sport and FIFA’s neutrality as an institution.
