The U.S. President Donald Trump was awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize on Friday night at a lavish, star-studded draw for the 2026 World Cup at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC.

The award, which has drawn widespread criticism and was widely seen as a tailored gesture to flatter the U.S. President, was presented by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, a close ally of Trump, who lauded the recipient's "exceptional and extraordinary actions to promote peace and unity around the world."

The ceremony, broadcast globally and co-hosted by model Heidi Klum and comedian Kevin Hart, saw President Trump take center stage to accept the newly created honor. The trophy itself was a golden globe resting on five golden hands, which critics immediately mocked as being designed to compensate for the President's long-standing sensitivity about the Nobel Peace Prize.

"This is your prize – this is your peace prize!" gushed Infantino, who then presented the President with a "beautiful medal" . A visibly glowing Trump eagerly placed the medal around his neck, declaring to the audience of 2,000 people, "This is truly one of the great honours of my life."

The presentation served as a perceived rebuke to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which recently overlooked Trump for its own prestigious award.

The event was the latest manifestation of the increasingly cozy relationship between the FIFA chief and the U.S. President. Infantino has been a frequent visitor to the White House and Mr. Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, and FIFA has even established an office in Trump Tower in New York. The governing body's decision to stage the highly-politicized award at the World Cup draw underscored the organization's departure from its traditional focus purely on sport.

Prior to the presentation, a glossy video montage played, attempting to lend legitimacy to the prize by justifying the President's selection. The narration praised him for "diplomatic efforts that create opportunities for dialogue, de-escalation and stability." The video showcased Trump at various summits, including the Gaza peace summit and meetings with leaders of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, but glossed over controversies such as his use of force in the Caribbean or disputed claims of having "settled eight conflicts."

The entire draw ceremony felt less like a sporting event and more like a political rally, perfectly aligning with Mr. Trump’s love of spectacle. The extravaganza began with Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli's performance of the aria Nessun Dorma and ended with a Village People performance of Y.M.C.A, a frequent staple at Trump rallies.

Infantino himself set an over-the-top tone, proclaiming the 2026 tournament, which will be co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, as "the greatest event in human history... This is like 104 Super Bowls in one month."

Joining Mr. Trump on stage for the actual, albeit convoluted, group draw were Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.

The event, held near the Watergate building and at the Kennedy Center, which has seen its own recent political turmoil, drew comparisons to the way Italy's Benito Mussolini used the 1934 World Cup to promote his regime, underscoring the deep intertwining of global sport and high-stakes international politics. (ILKHA)