Football fans have expressed strong criticism following confirmation that former U.S. President Donald Trump will attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw, scheduled to take place next summer at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The expanded tournament will feature 48 national teams and will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The draw itself will be conducted by former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand, alongside several high-profile guests.

The backlash intensified after FIFA announced the introduction of a new honor, the “FIFA Peace Prize — Football Unites the World.” Trump was presented with the award ahead of the draw, a decision that quickly sparked controversy among fans online. Many supporters questioned FIFA’s choice, arguing that the award undermines the values of peace and unity that football claims to represent. Social media platforms, particularly X, were flooded with criticism, with some fans calling the prize “an insult” and others suggesting it was politically motivated.

During his acceptance speech, Trump described the award as “one of the great honors of my life.” He stated that his administration had helped facilitate ceasefires and diplomatic efforts in various global conflicts, referencing situations involving the Democratic Republic of the Congo and India-Pakistan relations. Trump also mentioned that he had narrowly missed out on receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in October, adding that FIFA President Gianni Infantino believed he “definitely deserved” the recognition.

The controversy has been further fueled by recent U.S. military actions in Venezuela, which critics have cited as contradicting the image of a peace advocate. As the 2026 World Cup approaches, FIFA’s decision to involve Trump and present him with a peace-related award continues to generate debate, highlighting the ongoing tension between global sport, politics, and public perception.