FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended his decision to award a peace prize to U.S. President Donald Trump, brushing aside criticism and rejecting calls to boycott the upcoming World Cup.
Infantino came under heavy backlash after presenting Trump with the award on FIFA’s behalf during the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., in December. The move drew renewed scrutiny amid recent U.S. foreign policy decisions and controversy over Trump’s remarks on global security.
But in an interview with Sky News on Monday, Feb. 2, Infantino said the honour was warranted, describing Trump as a deserving recipient of FIFA’s inaugural peace prize.
“Objectively, he deserves it,” Infantino said. “Anything we can do to help peace in the world, we should do. For some time, we have been considering recognising people who contribute in that direction.”
He also dismissed suggestions that this year’s World Cup — scheduled for June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada and Mexico — could face a boycott over policies of the Trump administration. Infantino argued that political disagreements have not historically led to commercial boycotts of countries and questioned why football should be treated differently.
“In our divided and aggressive world, we need moments where people can come together around a shared passion,” he said.
Commenting on unrest in some U.S. cities linked to immigration enforcement, Infantino said football should serve as a unifying force rather than a political arena.
Infantino also said discussions would be needed on Russia’s return to international football. Russia has been suspended since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, though recent guidance from the International Olympic Committee has encouraged sports bodies to allow Russian teams to compete at youth level.
“We have to look at readmitting Russia, definitely,” Infantino said. “This ban has not achieved anything. It has only created more frustration and hatred. Letting girls and boys from Russia play football elsewhere in Europe would help.”
