Jackson Irvine Slams FIFA’s Trump ‘Peace Prize’ as Football Mockery | World Cup News

Australian midfielder Jackson Irvine has criticized FIFA for awarding its inaugural Peace Prize to U.S. President Donald Trump, asserting that the decision undermines the governing body’s credibility and its stated commitment to human rights.

Speaking to Reuters, the 33-year-old Socceroos player stated that the award makes a mockery of the organization’s mission and its efforts to utilize football as a catalyst for positive global change.

As an organisation, you would have to say decisions like the one that we saw awarding this peace prize makes a mockery of what they’re trying to do with the human rights charter and trying to use football as a global driving force for good and positive change in the world.

Jackson Irvine

The award was presented to President Trump by FIFA president Gianni Infantino during the 2026 World Cup draw in December. The prize was intended to recognize the U.S. President for promoting peace and unity around the world.

Internal FIFA Controversies

The creation of the Peace Prize has been marked by internal friction within FIFA. According to reporting by The Athletic, Gianni Infantino was the driving force behind the initiative, and FIFA’s vice presidents and Council were not consulted or involved in the award’s creation as is standard for such initiatives.

Infantino defended the decision in February, stating that objectively, he deserves it. This defense occurred prior to the start of a military conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran.

Geopolitical Tensions and Human Rights

The controversy surrounding the award has intensified following recent U.S. Military actions. One month after the December draw, the United States launched a military strike on Venezuela. On February 28, 2026, the U.S. And Israel began joint airstrikes on Iran, a nation that is participating in the upcoming World Cup.

Irvine argued that such decisions create a disconnect between the top level of the sport and the grassroots communities that the game represents. He suggested that these actions set back the perceived value of football in society.

The criticism aligns with broader condemnation from activists and human rights groups. On April 27, 2026, Norway’s soccer federation called for FIFA to abolish the Peace Prize entirely to prevent the organization from being drawn into political conflicts.

These developments stand in contrast to FIFA’s own established guidelines. The organization published its first Human Rights Policy in 2017. The Human Rights Framework for the 2026 World Cup includes specific provisions requiring host cities to prohibit discrimination, protect freedom of expression, and promote inclusion during the tournament.

World Cup 2026 Outlook

The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19. Australia’s national team has been drawn into Group D, where they are set to face the United States, Turkey, and Paraguay.

Neither the White House nor FIFA provided immediate comments regarding the criticisms leveled by Irvine or the call for the prize’s abolition.