Nearly a year after its launch: FIFA evaluates the future of the Peace Prize that was awarded to Donald Trump

FIFA could do away with one of its controversial awards in the coming days. A year after Donald Trump received the Peace Prize, the FIFA Council decided that the organization's social responsibility committee should determine whether or not the award should continue to be presented. In its first edition, the U.S. president was recognized with this prize just before the draw for the 2026 World Cup, which would be played in the United States as well as Canada and Mexico. Now, a committee of 22 people, which includes Javier Zanetti, must analyze the pros and cons of keeping it and under what terms. In other words, the evaluation could establish that it not be given to politicians, or it could determine that the award should be eliminated. After the Council meeting, Debbie Hewitt, FIFA's vice president and president of the English Football Association, detailed exactly what the committee has to establish. "The decision has been made to review the peace prize and refer it to the social committee," she said at the outset of a press conference. "Another issue that was raised was whether it should have been awarded, how the decision to grant it was made, and whether there should be another one. And those questions will be answered through the social committee," she added later. It is worth recalling that this prize had been announced in November 2025 as a way to reward "people who have carried out exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace" and who have "united people from all over the world." "It will be awarded to people who, through their unwavering commitment and special actions, have contributed to uniting people around the world in peace and, consequently, deserve special and unique recognition," they insisted later. The first presentation Just before the draw for the World Cup group stage took place, President Donald Trump received the FIFA Peace Prize trophy from Gianni Infantino. "We award it to Donald Trump, president of the United States, in recognition of his exceptional actions to promote peace and unity around the world. This is the certificate we are presenting to him," Infantino declared. "This is what we want from a leader who cares about his people. We want to live in a safe world, in a peaceful world. We want a united world and, without a doubt, you deserve the first prize for your achievements. In your own way, but you have achieved it. And as president, you will always have my support and the support of the entire football community," he added on that occasion. Trump, for his part, valued the award and thanked Infantino: "It is one of the great honors of my life. And beyond words, I want to say that we have saved thousands and thousands of lives. In the Congo, for example, more than 10,000 people who had died, and we have also been able to do it between India and Pakistan. We have ended so many wars in so many places and we have even stopped wars before they started," he began by saying. "I want to thank you for your collaboration. But most importantly, I want to thank everyone who has helped make the world a safer world. About a year ago, we were not the same country we are now, and that has been thanks to my leadership," he concluded. NEWSLETTER El Deportivo Monday, 8:45 AM A special selection with coverage and analysis of the most important sporting events of the weekend, by the Sports team of La Tercera. By subscribing you are accepting the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policies of La Tercera.