• Source:JND
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In an interesting turn of events, FIFA awarded its inaugural peace prize to Donald Trump, the President of the United States, on Friday, December 5. The US President received the award around 30 minutes into a glitzy ceremony at the Kennedy Centre ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw.

"This is truly one of the great honours of my life," Trump said on stage, standing alongside Infantino. "And beyond awards, we saved millions and millions of lives." Notably, FIFA announced the new prize last month, saying it was designed "to reward individuals who have taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace and by doing so have united people across the world."

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Trump, who openly campaigned for the Nobel Peace Prize, had been heavily favoured to win the newly created FIFA prize as his friendly relationship with the FIFA president Gianni Infantino was clearly on display. Infantino had made it clear that he thought Trump should have won the Nobel for his efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza. "This is what we want from a leader, a leader that cares about the people," Infantino said about Trump, who wore a gold medal around his neck and was presented with a gold trophy with his name on it that depicts hands holding up the world. The FIFA leader said to Trump, "This is your prize, this is your peace prize."

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Notably, the FIFA World Cup 2026 is scheduled to be played in the USA, Canada and Mexico. In the presence of the leaders of the other two host nations — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Trump thanked his family, including his wife and first lady, Melania Trump.

"This is truly one of the great honours of my life," Trump said.

"We saved millions and millions of lives. The Congo, as an example, over 10 million people killed, and it was heading for another 10 million very quickly" India, Pakistan, so many different wars that we're able to end in some cases a little bit before they started."

Trump went on to laud Infantino's effort behind the surge in global enthusiasm for football ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Notably, the FIFA World Cup 2026 is all set to witness an unprecedented participation of 48 teams. As of now, 42 teams have already booked their place for the World Cup, which will get underway and run till July 19. A total of 104 matches will be played in 16 venues throughout North America.

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