Donald Trump awarded ‘FIFA Peace Prize’ and people can’t get over one embarrassing detail

The U.S. President, 79, received the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize during the World Cup draw held in Washington DC on Friday, 5 December.

FIFA confirmed that Donald Trump was the first person to be honoured with this new award, which was presented during the 2026 tournament’s official draw ceremony.

Introduced last month, the prize aims to recognise individuals whose actions have significantly promoted peace and brought people together worldwide. Many had speculated that Trump would be selected from the moment the award was announced.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino — who has developed a notably close relationship with Trump — personally presented the medal at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

However, the decision quickly stirred controversy. Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, had urged FIFA earlier in the week not to proceed, citing concerns about civil liberties and human rights issues in the United States.

Onstage, Trump immediately wore the medal, calling it one of the greatest honours of his life. Infantino, meanwhile, emphasised FIFA’s mission to promote unity and safety through football.

A pre-recorded video highlighting Trump’s contributions to peace accompanied the announcement, but social media reactions were swift and overwhelmingly critical. Many users mocked the moment, describing the ceremony as awkward, staged, and even reminiscent of a comedy sketch.