In a bizarre twist that surreally mixes geopolitics with global football, US President Donald Trump was awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize during the eagerly awaited draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The ceremony, held at a star-studded gala in the nation’s capital, kicked off with operatic flair from Andrea Bocelli’s rendition of “Nessun Dorma” but quickly veered into the world of the weird as Trump took centre stage—literally—to accept the honour from his close ally, FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Trump carries off his own World Cup trophy
“This award is for the exceptional effort you’re making to fight for peace. That’s what we want from a leader,” Infantino declared as Trump ascended the podium, beaming under the spotlight. “You, Mr. President, deserve it for your achievements. In your own way, but you’ve done it, and you’ll always have my support and that of the entire football community.”
Trump, never one to undersell a moment, lit up the room with self-congratulatory fervour. “This is one of the greatest honours of my life,” he proclaimed, crediting himself with averting conflicts worldwide. “We’ve saved thousands of lives—in the Congo, India, Afghanistan—we’ve stopped wars before they even started. It’s a great honour to be with you, Gianni. I want to thank my family, and I think we’re going to see something incredible, working shoulder-to-shoulder with Canada and Mexico to coordinate everything. Our relationship is exceptional. Thanks to everyone who’s made the world a safer place. A year ago, we weren’t the country we are today, thanks to my leadership.”
The accolade comes mere weeks after Trump narrowly missed out on the Nobel Peace Prize, a snub he has publicly lamented. FIFA’s new peace award, presented for the first time, appeared tailor-made for just this occasion, reveals the extent of Infantino’s longstanding rapport with the US leader. As Trump returned to his seat clutching the trophy like a schoolboy shunned from the previous school sports day, the evening shifted gears to the main event and why everyone was tuning in: unveiling the 12 groups for the expanded 48-team tournament, set to be played June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Who is playing who at the World Cup?
Hosts stole early glances of glory in the draw. Mexico landed in Group A along with South Korea, while Canada drew Switzerland in Group B. The US, as co-host, faces Australia in Group D, promising a trans-Pacific showdown on home soil. Powerhouses like Brazil (Group C with Morocco) and Germany (Group E with Ecuador) avoided early nightmares, but the intrigue deepened elsewhere.
Spain, fresh off their Euro 2024 triumph under coach Luis de la Fuente, drew a manageable Group H: Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, and Cape Verde. “La Roja” will debut against the Uruguayans, led by Real Madrid star Federico Valverde. Yet, the real drama comes in the knockout stage: Spain could clash with Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the round of 32, depending on seeding and results from Group J (Argentina, Austria).
Other marquee clashes lit up the draw: France, commanded by Kylian Mbappé, meets Senegal in Group I while Group F pits the Netherlands against Japan, a rematch of their dramatic 2022 encounter. Belgium (Group G with Iran) and Portugal (Group K with Colombia) eye deep runs, while England faces Croatia in Group L, a nod to their epic 2018 semifinal.
Hosts Heidi Klum and Kevin Hart kept the energy electric, trading quips with Infantino, who opened the proceedings by dubbing FIFA “the official provider of happiness to humanity.” The red carpet brimmed with dignitaries, from soccer legends to Hollywood A-listers, but Trump’s prize overshadowed the proceedings and the Internet fell off its chair vowing never to drink again.
