Copyright New York Magazine
For all of Donald Trump’s combativeness, it’s shockingly easy to flatter him into submission. Multiple CEOs and world leaders have recognized this, and attempted to get into the president’s good graces by showering him with tacky gifts and undeserved praise. Apple CEO Tim Cook gifted Trump something that looked like a prestigious award, but was actually just a hunk of glass on a gold base. South Korea just gave Trump a gigantic gold crown, which was a replica of an actual national treasure. And now FIFA seems poised to give Trump a new peace prize, which it made up just for him. On Wednesday, international soccer’s governing body announced the creation of a new award officially called the “FIFA Peace Prize - Football Unites the World.” Ostensibly, this has nothing to do with Trump. FIFA just felt compelled to create an award that will be bestowed annually “on behalf of all football-loving people from all around the world.” But in context, it really sounds like the award was created in response to Trump’s desperate quest for a Nobel Peace Prize. Trump has been aggressively campaigning for a Nobel since his first term, so when he lost the prestigious award yet again last month, MAGA world complained that he’d been snubbed. The Nobel Peace Prize has a long history, and the five-person Norwegian Nobel Committee selects winners after a rigorous, months-long review process. In contrast, the criteria for the new FIFA Peace Prize sounds pretty loose, according to the press release: The award will be presented to individuals who, through their unwavering commitment and their special actions, have helped to unite people all over the world in peace and consequently deserve a special and unique recognition. Has Trump taken “special actions” to unite people? Sure, the description is so vague it’s hard to argue with it. But does the president have time to travel to a foreign country to accept such a prestigious honor? Well, conveniently the first award will be announced at one of the president’s favorite venues, D.C.’s Kennedy Center, at an event he’s already planning to attend: This prize will be bestowed annually, with the inaugural award to be presented by FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Friday, 5 December 2025 on the occasion of the Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup 26™ in Washington DC. You may have heard about FIFA giving Trump a replica of the trophy for the men’s World Cup to display in the Oval Office earlier this year, but that’s just one of the many ways the organization as been cozying up to the First Family, as Politico EU noted: In July, FIFA opened an office in New York’s Trump Tower and appointed Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, to the board of an education charity project co-funded by World Cup ticket sales. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been cultivating a friendship with Trump since his first term. He has been a frequent White House visitor, and was even invited to join Trump on several important foreign trips, including the signing of the Abraham Accords, a visit to Egypt after the Gaza cease-first took effect, and a summit with Asian leaders in Malaysia last week. Trump and Infantino both attended the America Business Forum in Miami on Wednesday, and the FIFA head praised the U.S. president effusively, especially on preparations for the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. “I have a great relationship with President Trump, I am really lucky,” Infantino said on Wednesday. “I have a great relationship with President Trump, who I consider really a close friend but of course he’s been very helpful in everything we do for the World Cup.” When asked on stage if the first FIFA Peace Prize might go to “somebody that we saw earlier today,” meaning Trump, Infantino responded with a laugh, “Well, on the 5th of December, you will see.” So, all signs point to Trump. Though it will be pretty hilarious if Trump can’t even win a peace prize made up by a good friend trying to curry favor with his administration.
