FIFA is preparing for a high profile World Cup draw on Friday at the Kennedy Center in Washington, where both United States President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino are expected to take prominent roles. The ceremony will unveil the new FIFA Peace Prize, an award widely believed to be created with Trump as the first recipient.
The event is shaping up as one of the most watched moments ahead of the 2026 World Cup. It will bring together football icons, major American sports and entertainment personalities, and leaders from Mexico and Canada. Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney are scheduled to attend as representatives of the co host nations.
Several of the arrangements appear tailored to Trump. The Village People have been booked to perform the song YMCA, which has become a familiar feature at his political gatherings. The introduction of a peace prize bearing the FIFA name also marks a major shift in the organisation’s traditions and has drawn wide attention.
Infantino has repeatedly praised Trump in recent months. He recently suggested that the President deserved global recognition for his part in the Israel Gaza ceasefire and he applauded Trump’s policies during public appearances. Their long running ties are well known and have included joint appearances at the Davos Economic Forum and at the signing of the Abraham Accords in Washington in 2020.
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The new developments have prompted criticism from observers who warn that FIFA is straying from its stated commitment to political neutrality. They argue that the close connection between Trump and Infantino risks turning the draw into an instrument of political promotion and could cast a shadow over the tournament itself. Some critics noted that Trump’s recent remarks about Somali immigrants, which drew widespread condemnation, make the organisation’s embrace even more troubling.
A senior FIFA official rejected the concerns and said the award is meant to reflect football’s influence in global society. The official argued that the sport has the reach to celebrate major efforts toward peace and noted that past honours for political leaders had not stirred similar reactions. He added that FIFA should be acknowledged for trying to promote unity in a world marked by division.
Infantino’s relationship with Trump has stretched across several years. It began with a visit to the Oval Office in 2018 during Trump’s first term and continued with appearances at political and diplomatic events. Their renewed alliance is expected to be on full display when the draw begins on Friday.
