FIFA Urged to Abolish Peace Prize After Trump Award, Says Norwegian Football Chief

Lise Klaveness Calls on FIFA to Drop the Peace Prize

According to Главком: The president of the Norwegian Football Association, Lise Klaveness, has urged FIFA to scrap the Peace Prize that was established in 2025. This appeal follows widespread debate over the award, whose first recipient was U.S. President Donald Trump. The prize was handed out during the draw for the 2026 World Cup. FIFA announced the creation of the award on November 5, 2025, which raised numerous questions about its political undertones.

Klaveness stated that 'FIFA must remain politically neutral and lacks both the authority and the resources to present such a prize.'

Her remarks highlight concerns shared by many experts and football fans about the potential politicization of sports organizations and their decision-making processes.

The 2026 World Cup

All participants for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have now been confirmed. Ukraine failed to reach the final, losing 1–3 to Sweden in the playoff semifinal. In that match, Ponomarenko scored in the 90+1st minute, while Gyökeres netted three times-in the 6th, 51st, and 72nd minutes.

The 2026 World Cup promises to be an exciting event, with groups already drawn:

• Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic
• Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
• Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
• Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey
• Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
• Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
• Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
• Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
• Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway
• Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
• Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
• Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed sides, will advance to the round of 16. This format ensures the 2026 World Cup will be a true sporting spectacle.

Klaveness's call to cancel the Peace Prize reflects anxieties about political interference in sports bodies, which could tarnish football's image and reputation. The award, launched amid international political currents, has drawn criticism as FIFA has traditionally sought to remain apolitical. Meanwhile, preparations for the 2026 World Cup continue, and despite Ukraine's absence from the final, interest in the tournament is growing as the groups and participating teams are now set.

As the debate surrounding FIFA's Peace Prize intensifies, many are questioning the implications of awarding such honors, especially after the controversy involving Donald Trump. To gain deeper insights into the reactions from the football community, including calls from officials like Klaveness, you can read more in our detailed coverage of the scrutiny of FIFA's decision-making.