FIFA is set to let President Trump speak at the 2026 World Cup draw as he receives the new FIFA Peace Prize, raising questions about process, politics, and transparency.

Trump Expected to Speak at FIFA 2026 World Cup Draw as He Receives Inaugural FIFA Peace Prize

The 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup draw, already one of the most watched events leading into the global tournament, is set to take on an unprecedented political dimension. According to multiple sources involved in planning the event, FIFA has invited U.S. President Donald Trump to speak on stage during Friday’s ceremony at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., where he is also expected to receive the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize — Football Unites the World.

The decision to feature Trump so prominently has sparked intense conversation in political, sports, and human rights circles—and has raised new questions about FIFA’s process, motivations, and transparency as it prepares for the biggest World Cup in history.

A High-Profile Appearance at the World Cup Draw

The nearly two-hour ceremony will feature leaders from across North America. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will be in attendance. However, all eyes will be on Trump, who sources say will be given a couple of minutes to speak on stage, with FIFA unlikely to strictly limit his remarks.

The Athletic first reported the internal planning discussions, noting that Trump’s participation has been part of FIFA’s vision for the event for several weeks.

The White House offered a glowing statement praising Trump’s leadership in connection with the event. “The United States of America has never been more respected or successful than it is now under President Trump’s historic leadership,” spokesperson Davis Ingle said. He added that America’s current global standing makes it “the perfect country to host one of the greatest sporting events in history — the FIFA World Cup 2026.”

The White House declined to comment further on why Trump would be speaking during the draw.

Read also… Kamilla Rakhimova Switches Nationality to Uzbekistan in Major 2025 Move

The FIFA Peace Prize: New Award, Old Questions

On November 5, FIFA announced the creation of the FIFA Peace Prize — Football Unites the World, an award meant to honor individuals who use their influence to promote peace, unity, and conflict resolution. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the award recognizes “the outstanding contribution of those who work hard to end conflicts and bring people together in a spirit of peace.”

Infantino described football as a global symbol of unity and emphasized that the prize would be given annually. However, the inaugural award will be unveiled during Friday’s draw ceremony—an unusually fast turnaround that raised eyebrows when the announcement first appeared on FIFA’s platforms.

While FIFA has not formally named the first recipient, multiple insiders have confirmed that Trump is expected to receive the award. Infantino had previously stated publicly that Trump deserved the Nobel Peace Prize, posting an endorsement on Instagram after the Israel-Gaza ceasefire. The Nobel Committee ultimately awarded the prize to Venezuelan democracy advocate María Corina Machado instead.

Shortly afterward, FIFA revealed the creation of its own peace prize—fueling speculation that the timing was not a coincidence.

Lack of Transparency Draws Scrutiny

FIFA’s internal processes have come under fire since the announcement. The Athletic previously reported that the FIFA Council and the organization’s vice presidents were not consulted before the prize was created or announced. They also had no involvement in shaping the criteria for selecting its first recipient.

The lack of transparency caught the attention of Human Rights Watch, which sent a formal letter to FIFA on November 11 requesting details on how nominees were chosen and what qualifications were required. The letter asked five direct questions regarding:

• Evaluation criteria
• Whether those criteria would be published
• How nominations are identified or received
• Who selects the winner
• How FIFA’s Human Rights Policy factors into the award

Human Rights Watch set a deadline of November 20 for FIFA to respond. According to the organization, no reply was ever received.

An Event Tailored to Trump’s Preferences

Insiders say the event itself has been shaped with Trump’s tastes in mind. The choice of the Kennedy Center—a venue Trump and his allies have strongly embraced since his return to office—was part of that effort. Even the entertainment lineup reflects Trump’s political brand. The Village People, the band behind “Y.M.C.A.,” will perform during the draw. The song famously became Trump’s unofficial anthem during his re-election rallies and fundraisers.

The combination of location, entertainment, and stage time has led some critics to argue that the ceremony risks becoming more about politics than football.

Geopolitics Meets the Global Game

Trump’s expected appearance has drawn mixed reactions globally. Supporters point to his claims of ending “eight wars” since returning to office—though many of these claims remain disputed, and tensions or active conflict persist in several regions. Critics argue that awarding Trump a peace prize undermines the seriousness of the honor and distracts from FIFA’s responsibility to uphold human rights principles.

Infantino has declined to confirm or deny Trump’s selection but hinted in a recent public appearance that Friday’s ceremony would make the outcome clear. “You will see,” he told reporters with a smile.

A Defining Moment Ahead of the 2026 World Cup

With the United States co-hosting the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico, the 2026 World Cup is poised to become the largest and most commercially significant sporting event ever staged. Friday’s draw—which determines the opening matchups for the 48-team tournament—was already set to attract global attention.

Now, with Trump expected to address the world from the Kennedy Center stage, it may become one of the most politically charged World Cup events in FIFA history.

How FIFA navigates the fallout—and how the global football community reacts—could shape the organization’s reputation and credibility well beyond 2026.