US President Donald Trump turned the inaugural recipient of FIFA’s new peace prize at Friday’s 2026 World Cup draw — a symbolic honour for a frontrunner who has lengthy coveted a Nobel. Gianni Infantino, president of world soccer’s governing physique and an in depth affiliate of Trump, introduced the 79-year-old with the award throughout the ceremony at Washington’s Kennedy Middle.Go Past The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“Thanks very a lot. That is really one of many nice honors of my life. And past awards, Gianni and I had been discussing this, we saved thousands and thousands and thousands and thousands of lives,” Trump mentioned.

“The world is a safer place now.”Infantino mentioned Trump obtained the award for his “distinctive and extraordinary” efforts to advertise peace and unity worldwide, presenting him with a golden trophy and a certificates.“There’s additionally a fantastic medal for you you could put on in all places you wish to go,” Infantino mentioned.Trump instantly put it round his neck, saying: “I will put on it proper now.”FIFA introduced the annual prize in November, saying it might acknowledge individuals who carry “hope for future generations.”

However its inaugural recipient was hardly a shock.Infantino, 55, has developed a decent relationship with Trump, visiting the White Home greater than any world chief since Trump’s return to workplace in January.The US president usually insists that he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for his position in ending what he says are eight conflicts this yr. These embrace a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, though an finish to Russia’s struggle in Ukraine eludes him.Infantino has traveled as far afield as Egypt and Malaysia to attend three ceremonies for Trump-brokered peace offers in latest months.Trump has put himself on the head of a “board of peace” for war-torn Gaza, whereas his administration this week renamed a Washington peace institute after him.However Trump was ignored by the Norwegian Nobel Committee final month because it awarded the peace prize to Venezuelan opposition chief Maria Corina Machado.(With inputs from AFP)