Full Breakdown
FIFA Council Reviews Controversial Peace Prize After Trump Award
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event – Council Pushes to Reform or Abolish the Peace Prize
At a Thursday FIFA Council meeting in Zurich, members pressed President Gianni Infantino to overhaul or scrap the FIFA Peace Prize, which was awarded to U.S. President Donald Trump at the 2025 World Cup draw in Washington, D.C. Council participants raised concerns about the prize’s political associations and demanded that any future version be barred from being given to a politician. The Football Social Responsibility Committee, a 22-person body dominated by Infantino allies, has been tasked with drafting new parameters before the next council meeting in Doha on December 16.
Background & Context – Creation and First Presentation of the Peace Prize
The inaugural award was presented by Infantino to President Trump at the men’s World Cup draw, sparking backlash because Article 2 of FIFA’s statutes prohibits political or governmental interference in football. Critics noted that the award’s timing followed the Norwegian Nobel Committee’s decision to pass over Trump for its 2025 peace prize.
Data & Statistics
- FIFA Council: 37 members.
- Football Social Responsibility Committee: 22 members.
- Lease for a 5,000-sq-ft office in Trump Tower signed in June 2025 for $4 million over seven years.
- 50 members of the European Parliament called for a FIFA investigation.
Official Statements & Responses
Infantino said the council had decided that the committee will analyze the prize, propose reforms, and present a decision at the next meeting—a statement captured in the FIFA news release. FIFA later issued a statement denying any undisclosed compensation, asserting that the president’s salary and benefits are set by an independent compensation sub-committee and fully audited.
Criticism & Opposition
- An international human-rights organization filed an ethics-committee complaint alleging a breach of political neutrality.
- The Norwegian Football Federation also referred the matter to FIFA’s ethics committee.
- UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation have pledged to oppose Infantino’s re-election, citing the Peace Prize controversy among other governance concerns.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on whether the Peace Prize was created with prior council approval. *The Guardian* reports that many senior executives were blindsided, while *USA Today* notes that Infantino did not inform the council before announcing the award. Media cited a “second salary” of about £1.3 million in 2024; FIFA’s response maintains that all compensation complies with Swiss, U.S. and international tax regulations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It was decided that the Football Social Responsibility Committee will be tasked to analyze it, provide a proposal, and also, there, a decision will be taken at the next FIFA Council meeting,” — Gianni Infantino
- “One of the disappointing things is that we didn't get answers to anything that we had specifically requested - for example getting the papers from FFE," Hewitt said.” — Debbie Hewitt, FA chair
What’s Next – Upcoming Decisions
The committee must deliver its proposal before the council reconvenes in Doha on December 16. Candidates for the FIFA presidency must declare their intent by November 18, and the election is slated for the FIFA Congress in Rabat on March 18. The Peace Prize review will be a key agenda item at the December meeting.