Miami: FIFA has created a new annual award called the FIFA Peace Prize to be awarded for the first time during the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, world soccer's governing body said Wednesday.

"Football stands for peace, and on behalf of the entire global football community, the FIFA Peace Prize -- Football Unites the World will recognize the enormous efforts of those individuals who unite people, bringing hope for future generations," FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a statement.

The announcement came before Infantino appeared at the America Business Forum in Miami, where US President Donald Trump and Argentine World Cup champion Lionel Messi were also speakers.

The recipient of the inaugural award was not revealed, but there was immediate speculation that it could go to Trump, an Infantino ally who is expected to be present at the December 5 draw at the Kennedy Center in the US capital.

Trump, flanked by Infantino, announced from the Oval Office in August that the draw would take place at the Kennedy Center, where he installed himself this year as chairman in what he called a war on "woke" culture.

Since returning to office for a second term in January, Trump has insisted he deserved the Nobel peace prize for his role in resolving numerous conflicts around the world.

But the US president was snubbed by the Norwegian Nobel Committee last month as it awarded the peace prize to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.

The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.

Social media reaction

The announcement has sparked a flurry of reactions and memes on social media with netizens. Many already say that the winner is decided and it will be none other than Donald Trump. Check some reactions and twitter/pmC0xfWPfx

- Binks (@BinkyBaxter1) November 5, 2025

And the winner is... twitter/uo1Mh7j0jr

- Mai 1 Gioia (@poker_classy) November 5, 2025

Who could the winner possibly be? twitter/5aLldgr3Ux

- Paul (@I_am_the_Paulus) November 5, 2025

Guess who's going to win the prize??? twitter/f9hXGnLDfW

- Junior (@junior013santos) November 5, 2025

Wonder who it will be? twitter/J5dzUsSMEK

- Dave Dangerfield (@davejool30) November 5, 2025

Gotta hand it to Infantino. He can create a "peace" prize for a guy who supports murderous dictatorships, and hired Jill Ellis to "protect" the interests of women in global football. It takes a very special, tone-deaf man... twitter/q9weqy03BU

- Andrew Eastmond (@eastmond_andrew) November 5, 2025

Creating a prize just for Trump then.. twitter/cUfIa5lHrl

- Steve Whyley (@sw1205) November 5, 2025

Donald Trump will be awarded the first FIFA Piece Prize...! twitter/5rE4in7QF6

- RoyalBroughamPitch ⭐️⭐️ (@RBPitch) November 5, 2025

"We need to stop Trump from taking the world Cup trophy and awarding it to himself, anyone any ideas"?Extra security?Surround it with old women?Say "the left" touched it?"What about and hear me out here, the FIFA PEACE PRIZE" twitter/wsBmXnSTin

- haventAcluelufc (@haventaclue79) November 5, 2025

trump's ego is so fragile that FIFA is going to present him with a“peace prize” to ensure they can still host the World Cup in 2026

- Lizconsin (@LizzieB904) November 6, 2025

Funny how corruption, even when blatant can beat solid ethical values. The“Fifa peace prize” to be presented on December 5."Head of football governing body is close ally of Donald Trump, fueling speculation that US president may be first recipient. " BetterEatRealFood (@suziecreamchee4) November 6, 2025

(With inputs from AFP)

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