FIFA president Infantino defends giving peace prize to TrumpListen to this articleUS President Donald Trump leaves the stage after receiving the FIFA peace prizeLONDON - FIFA chief Gianni Infantino defended his controversial decision to award a peace prize to United States president Donald Trump as he dismissed calls for a World Cup boycott. Infantino was widely criticised for giving Trump the honour on behalf of his governing body at the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington DC in December. However, Infantino insisted Trump was deserving of FIFA's inaugural peace prize, telling Sky News on Monday: "Objectively, he deserves it. But FIFA president Infantino said there were never calls for businesses to boycott a country, "so why football?" Infantino also said FIFA and UEFA -- European football's governing body -- would "have to" look at allowing Russia back into international action.

Source: Bangkok Post February 03, 2026 03:36 UTC