FIFA has announced the creation of a new annual honour, the FIFA Peace Prize, Football Unites the World, which will debut next month during the 2026 World Cup finals draw in Washington D.C.
According to the world football governing body, the award will celebrate individuals who have made exceptional efforts to promote peace and unity through football.
“In an increasingly unsettled and divided world, it’s fundamental to recognise those who work tirelessly to end conflicts and bring people together,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “Football stands for peace, and this prize reflects our belief in its power to unite communities and inspire hope for future generations.”
The inaugural award will be presented at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 5, where 48 teams will discover their group stage opponents for the 2026 World Cup.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who will host the draw, had earlier declared, “We are uniting the world, here in America, and we are very proud of that.” The president, who recently criticised the Nobel Committee for awarding Venezuela’s opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, has himself sought recognition for his peace efforts.
The 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will run from June 11 to July 19, featuring a record 104 matches across 16 cities.
