A formal complaint put forward on 12 December 2025 by the London-based group FairSquare urged FIFA ethics investigators to examine actions by FIFA President Gianni Infantino after he awarded a newly created FIFA Peace Prize to United States President Donald Trump during the 2026 World Cup draw event held in Miami.
FairSquare submitted an 8-page letter alleging that Infantino violated FIFA rules requiring strict political neutrality. The group argued that awarding a peace prize to a sitting political leader constituted a clear breach of that standard and represented behavior that undermined global confidence in FIFA governance structures.
The controversy began on 7 December 2028 when the FIFA president presented the first FIFA Peace Prize to Trump during the televised draw for the 2026 World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The presentation followed a video honoring Trump and included public declarations of support by Infantino.
Moreover, during the event, Infantino praised Trump and stated that the U.S. under Trump showed leadership aligned with what he described as global sporting values. These remarks crossed the boundary between administrative duties and political endorsement, which risks interference in national political contexts and political affairs.
FairSquare argued that the FIFA Peace Prize appeared to have been created without approval from the FIFA Council. The letter described the decision as an unauthorized unilateral action that bypassed established governance procedures. The group contended that such conduct reflected an egregious abuse of executive power.
FIFA rules permit sanctions, including a ban of up to 2 years for violations of political neutrality. However, the FIFA Ethics Committee traditionally does not confirm receipt of complaints or comment on ongoing matters. As of publication, FIFA provided no indication regarding the status of the FairSquare submission.
The complaint also cited earlier statements by Infantino issued earlier in the year. These include remarks at a November business forum in Miami, where he supported the policies of Trump. FairSquare argued that these endorsements marked a pattern inconsistent with FIFA expectations and damaging to the global image of FIFA.