FIFA has officially created a new award, the FIFA Peace Prize – Football Unites the World, which will be presented annually to recognize “exceptional acts in the service of peace and unity”; the first winner will be announced during the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., on December 5.
According to FIFA, the initiative will recognize individuals or groups whose actions help to end conflicts and bring people together through football; the award will be presented on behalf of five billion fans around the world.
During the presentation, Gianni Infantino emphasized that in an “increasingly unstable and divided world,” it is important to recognize those who bring peace and hope, and that soccer can serve as a bridge between communities; this message was also reflected in the official name of the award – Football Unites the World. The introduction of the award sparked immediate reactions in the media and on social networks; the discussion focuses not only on the selection of the winner, but also on how FIFA will define “peaceful merits” in practice, as the selection may have a high symbolic and geopolitical impact.
The prize faces a challenging debut: the name of the first recipient will determine whether the award quickly establishes itself as a prestigious international recognition or becomes the subject of political debate.
