Reports emerged on Friday that FIFA could scrap its Peace Prize less than a year after its first award.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino faces growing pressure from members of the FIFA Council. Some want FIFA to abolish the award, while others favour major changes.
FIFA’s Football Social Responsibility Committee will now review the prize. The committee must assess its future before the next FIFA Council meeting in December.
Infantino presented the inaugural award to US President Donald Trump on 5 December 2025. The ceremony took place in Washington ahead of the 2026 World Cup draw.
The decision sparked criticism and raised questions about Infantino’s relationship with Trump. Critics also questioned FIFA’s transparency and its commitment to political neutrality.
FIFA has not made a final decision. The committee will present its recommendations ahead of the next Council meeting in Doha on 16 December.
Scrapping the award would add to the pressure on Infantino. The FIFA president already faces criticism over the organisation’s governance and recent decisions.
The latest controversy in FIFA’s World Cup saga
The 2026 World Cup delivered memorable football, but it also faced controversy. Ticket prices, visa restrictions and political concerns all attracted attention during the tournament.
Infantino’s decision to present Trump with the Peace Prize proved particularly contentious. Critics questioned whether the award suited FIFA’s mission to unite people through football.
FIFA said the annual prize would recognise individuals who had taken exceptional actions for peace. It also aimed to honour people who had united communities around the world.
However, FIFA did not clearly explain how it selected nominees or chose the winner. That lack of transparency prompted questions from football officials and human rights organisations.
Critics also questioned whether the award respected FIFA’s commitment to political neutrality. They argued that honouring a sitting political leader could draw the organisation further into politics.
International tensions added to the debate surrounding Trump’s award. The US administration’s foreign policy decisions intensified scrutiny of FIFA’s choice.
The controversy raised wider questions about the purpose of the prize. Critics argued that FIFA needed clear selection criteria to protect the award’s credibility.
FIFA’s current review could lead to several outcomes. The organisation could abolish the prize, change its format or restrict future awards to non-political figures.
If FIFA scraps the award, Trump would remain its first and only recipient. A major overhaul could also force the organisation to explain how it selects future winners.
Infantino faces mounting pressure ahead of FIFA election
The potential scrapping of the Peace Prize adds another layer of pressure on Infantino at a sensitive point in his presidency.
With the fallout from the World Cup and the Folarin Balogun red-card controversy still looming large, the FIFA president also faced backlash over proposals to open up the tournament to greater private investment.
With many prominent football associations and world leaders positioning themselves staunchly against the proposal, Infantino had to shelve the plans in an embarrassing walk-back.
The debacle has only strengthened opposition to his leadership with several associations, particularly in Europe, increasingly keen to see a change at the top after ten years of the Italian’s presidency.
German FA president Bernd Neuendorf has already expressed confidence that an alternative candidate can be found, with UEFA also reportedly sharing the view that a challenger could soon emerge.
Former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has been mentioned as a potential name, although no candidacy has been confirmed.
Should a credible challenger emerge and secure sufficient backing beyond Europe, Infantino could face a significant contest to retain his position.
As the election draws closer, Infantino will be increasingly reliant on his network of allies and relationships across FIFA’s member associations to protect his position and his vision for the organisation’s future – all while looking over his shoulder at a UEFA who are increasingly determined to challenge his direction.
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