FIFA has announced the creation of a peace prize, which it plans to award at the World Cup draw on December 5 in Washington.
The award, named the FIFA Peace Prize, will “recognize exceptional actions for peace,” the governing body of soccer said on Wednesday.
“In an increasingly unsettled and divided world, it is essential to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of those who work to end conflicts and bring people together in a spirit of peace,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said.
FIFA added that the award, which Infantino will present this year, will be given annually “on behalf of fans from all around the world.”
The announcement comes shortly after President Donald Trump, who shares a close relationship with Infantino, was passed over for the Nobel Peace Prize last month despite lobbying efforts by fellow Republicans, world leaders, and Trump himself. Infantino and Trump were both scheduled to speak at an unrelated event in Miami on Wednesday.
FIFA has also strengthened its links to Trump by appointing his daughter, Ivanka, to the board of a $100 million education project partly funded by 2026 World Cup ticket sales.