Norwegian FA Calls for Abolition of FIFA Peace Award After Trump Honor Sparks Global Backlash
Monday, April 27, 2026 — Oslo, Norway
The Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) has launched a formal campaign to abolish FIFA’s controversial Peace Award after the world governing body honored former U.S. President Donald Trump during the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington D.C. Last December. NFF President Lise Klaveness, a member of UEFA’s executive committee, called the award “unlawful” and a violation of FIFA’s own rules on political neutrality, escalating a months-long dispute that has divided football’s leadership and drawn scrutiny from ethics watchdogs.
What Happened
On December 6, 2025, FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Award during the 2026 World Cup group-stage draw ceremony at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The award, introduced without prior public consultation, was described by FIFA as recognizing “individuals who have made exceptional contributions to global peace and understanding through sport.”
Klaveness, who will represent the NFF at FIFA’s upcoming congress in Zurich this Thursday, told reporters in an online press conference that the award “clearly falls outside FIFA’s mandate” and risks politicizing the organization. “For the awarding of peace prizes, we already have an independent Nobel Institute in Oslo,” she said. “FIFA is not equipped to make these judgments, and the decision to honor a sitting head of state has already damaged the organization’s credibility.”
The NFF has formally requested that FIFA’s Ethics Committee investigate Infantino’s conduct, alleging repeated violations of the organization’s Code of Ethics, which prohibits political interference and requires neutrality in all official matters.
Why This Matters Now
The controversy arrives at a precarious moment for FIFA, which is preparing to host the 2026 World Cup across three nations—Canada, Mexico, and the United States—amid heightened scrutiny over its governance and financial transparency. The award to Trump, who left office in January 2025 after a single term marked by polarizing policies, has reignited debates about the organization’s role in global politics.
Klaveness’s criticism reflects broader concerns within European football circles about Infantino’s leadership. Since taking office in 2016, the Swiss-Italian administrator has pursued an aggressive expansion of FIFA’s commercial and diplomatic footprint, including the introduction of the expanded Club World Cup and a proposed biennial World Cup. Critics argue these moves prioritize revenue over the sport’s grassroots development and ethical standards.
“This isn’t just about one award or one leader,” said a UEFA official who spoke on condition of anonymity. “It’s about whether FIFA can be trusted to remain neutral when the stakes are highest. The timing—just months before the World Cup—couldn’t be worse.”
FIFA Ethics Committee Launches Probe
In a statement released late Sunday, FIFA’s Ethics Committee confirmed it has opened a preliminary investigation into Infantino’s decision to award the Peace Prize to Trump. The committee, led by Colombian judge María Claudia Rojas, will examine whether the award violated FIFA’s statutes on political neutrality and whether Infantino exceeded his authority by creating the prize without approval from FIFA’s governing bodies.
The committee’s findings could have significant implications for Infantino’s future. While FIFA’s statutes do not explicitly prohibit the creation of awards, they require all major decisions to be ratified by the FIFA Council, which includes representatives from all six continental confederations. The Peace Award was announced unilaterally by Infantino during a press conference in October 2025, with no prior discussion in the council.
Klaveness told Archysport that the NFF will push for a vote on abolishing the award during Thursday’s congress. “This isn’t about Donald Trump,” she said. “It’s about ensuring FIFA doesn’t become a platform for political statements. Football should unite people, not divide them.”
Global Reactions: Support and Backlash
The NFF’s call has drawn mixed reactions from football’s governing bodies and national associations:
- UEFA: The European governing body has not formally endorsed the NFF’s position but issued a statement expressing “concern” over the award’s implications for FIFA’s neutrality. UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, a frequent critic of Infantino, told reporters in Nyon that “football must remain above politics, especially when it comes to awards.”
- CONCACAF: The North American confederation, which co-hosts the 2026 World Cup, has remained silent on the controversy. However, sources within the organization told Archysport that some members view the award as a “diplomatic gesture” to secure U.S. Government support for the tournament.
- Human Rights Groups: Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have condemned the award, citing Trump’s record on immigration and foreign policy. “This award sends a dangerous message that FIFA is willing to overlook human rights abuses in the name of diplomacy,” said Amnesty’s football campaign director, Alicia Keys.
- Trump’s Response: The former president has not publicly commented on the controversy, but a spokesperson for his office told Archysport that “President Trump is honored to have received the award and grateful to FIFA for recognizing his efforts to promote peace through sport.”
Has FIFA Awarded Political Figures Before?
While FIFA has a long history of engaging with political leaders—including hosting World Cup draws in capital cities and inviting heads of state to tournaments—the Peace Award represents a departure from its traditional role. Previous FIFA honors, such as the Presidential Award or the Order of Merit, have typically recognized contributions to football itself, not broader geopolitical efforts.
Notable exceptions include:
- 2018: FIFA awarded Russian President Vladimir Putin the Order of Merit for his role in hosting the 2018 World Cup, despite international sanctions and human rights concerns.
- 2010: South African President Jacob Zuma received the FIFA Presidential Award for his government’s function in delivering the 2010 World Cup, though the event was later marred by corruption allegations.
- 1994: FIFA honored then-U.S. President Bill Clinton for his support of the 1994 World Cup, though the award was presented after the tournament and did not carry the same diplomatic weight as the Peace Award.
Klaveness argues that the Peace Award sets a dangerous precedent. “If FIFA starts handing out peace prizes, where does it stop?” she said. “Will we see awards for climate action, economic policy, or military alliances next? Football is not the United Nations.”
What Happens Next?
The FIFA Congress, which begins Thursday in Zurich, will be the first major test of the NFF’s campaign. While the congress does not have the authority to abolish the Peace Award outright—only the FIFA Council can do that—Klaveness plans to introduce a motion calling for a review of the award’s legitimacy. If the motion gains traction, it could force Infantino to defend the award in front of the council, which meets in June.
Meanwhile, the Ethics Committee’s investigation is expected to take several weeks. If the committee finds evidence of wrongdoing, Infantino could face sanctions ranging from a formal warning to suspension. However, analysts caution that the committee’s independence has been questioned in the past, particularly in cases involving high-profile figures.
“This is a defining moment for FIFA,” said James Dorsey, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies and an expert on football governance. “If Infantino survives this, it will embolden him to push further into politics. If he doesn’t, it could signal a shift toward greater accountability.”
Key Takeaways
- The Award: The FIFA Peace Award was introduced in October 2025 and first presented to Donald Trump on December 6, 2025, during the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington D.C.
- The Controversy: The Norwegian Football Federation has called for the award’s abolition, arguing it violates FIFA’s rules on political neutrality and lacks a clear mandate.
- The Investigation: FIFA’s Ethics Committee has opened a preliminary probe into Gianni Infantino’s decision to create and award the prize.
- The Stakes: The controversy arrives as FIFA prepares to host the 2026 World Cup amid heightened scrutiny over its governance and financial transparency.
- The Next Steps: The NFF will push for a vote on the award’s future during the FIFA Congress in Zurich this week, with a potential showdown in the FIFA Council in June.
How to Follow the Story
Archysport will provide live updates from the FIFA Congress in Zurich, including reactions from Klaveness, Infantino, and other key stakeholders. For official statements and documents, follow:
Join the conversation: What do you think about FIFA’s Peace Award? Should the organization engage in political diplomacy, or should it stick to football? Share your thoughts in the comments below or on Twitter and Facebook.
