FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended his decision to award a peace prize to United States President Donald Trump, dismissing criticism and rejecting calls for a boycott of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Infantino came under fire after presenting the award to Trump on behalf of football’s world governing body during the World Cup draw in Washington, DC, in December. The move drew renewed scrutiny amid controversy surrounding U.S. foreign and domestic policies under the Trump administration.
Speaking to Sky News on Monday, Infantino said the decision was justified, insisting that Trump merited FIFA’s inaugural peace prize.
“Objectively, he deserves it,” Infantino said. “Whatever we can do to help peace in the world, we should be doing it, and for this reason, for some time we were thinking we should do something to reward people who do something.”
Infantino also played down suggestions that the 2026 World Cup — scheduled to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19 — could face a boycott over U.S. policies, including immigration enforcement that has sparked protests in several American cities.
“There are never calls for businesses to boycott a country, so why football?” Infantino said, adding that global tournaments provide opportunities for unity in a divided world.
“In our aggressive world, we need occasions where people can meet around a shared passion,” he said.
The FIFA president further indicated that football authorities may revisit the suspension of Russia from international competitions. Russia has been banned since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but the International Olympic Committee has recently recommended allowing Russian athletes to return at youth level.
“We have to look at it, definitely,” Infantino said. “This ban has not achieved anything; it has just created more frustration and hatred.”
