FIFA's Council met in Zurich on Oct 15 and sent the Peace Prize's future to a committee. The verdict lands Dec 16 in Doha. The story, in photos.

A prize under review Photo: The White House

The Zurich decision

After the Oct 15 council meeting, FIFA's Football Social Responsibility Committee must rule: scrap the prize, reform it — or keep it. After the Oct 15 council meeting, FIFA's Football Social Responsibility Committee must rule: scrap the prize, reform it — or keep it. Photo: FIFA

The golden prize

The inaugural award: a golden trophy, a medal and a certificate, presented to Trump at the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, D.C. The inaugural award: a golden trophy, a medal and a certificate, presented to Trump at the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, D.C. Photo: EPA

Born of a Nobel snub

FIFA created the prize in Nov 2025, weeks after the Nobel Peace Prize went to Venezuela's María Corina Machado instead of Trump. FIFA created the prize in Nov 2025, weeks after the Nobel Peace Prize went to Venezuela's María Corina Machado instead of Trump. Photo: vecer.press

Infantino's award

FIFA president Gianni Infantino unveiled the prize and personally presented it to Trump on Dec 5, 2025, at the Kennedy Center. FIFA president Gianni Infantino unveiled the prize and personally presented it to Trump on Dec 5, 2025, at the Kennedy Center. Photo: The White House

'This is your peace prize'

Presenting the award, Infantino told Trump: 'This is your prize. This is your peace prize.' Trump called it one of his life's great honors. Presenting the award, Infantino told Trump: 'This is your prize. This is your peace prize.' Trump called it one of his life's great honors. Photo: AP

The medal moment

Trump lifted the FIFA Peace Prize 2025 medal on stage in Washington as Infantino looked on — the ceremony that started it all. Trump lifted the FIFA Peace Prize 2025 medal on stage in Washington as Infantino looked on — the ceremony that started it all. Photo: Evan Vucci / AP

The backlash

Reports said Infantino never told the FIFA Council before creating the prize. Rights group FairSquare complained to FIFA's ethics committee. Reports said Infantino never told the FIFA Council before creating the prize. Rights group FairSquare complained to FIFA's ethics committee. Photo: FIFA

Norway objects

The Norwegian Football Federation took the matter to FIFA's ethics committee, questioning the award's political neutrality. The Norwegian Football Federation took the matter to FIFA's ethics committee, questioning the award's political neutrality. Photo: Ullevaal Stadion

Brussels piles on

Fifty members of the European Parliament called for a FIFA investigation into how the prize was created and awarded. Fifty members of the European Parliament called for a FIFA investigation into how the prize was created and awarded. Photo: Alexandra Geese

Scrap or reform?

FIFA VP Debbie Hewitt said the committee will weigh whether the prize should be withdrawn — or reinvented with politicians barred. FIFA VP Debbie Hewitt said the committee will weigh whether the prize should be withdrawn — or reinvented with politicians barred. Photo: Flickr

The road to 2026

The decision lands Dec 16 in Doha — months before the World Cup kicks off across the US, Canada and Mexico. The decision lands Dec 16 in Doha — months before the World Cup kicks off across the US, Canada and Mexico. Photo: footballvmno2026.com