FIFA has come under heavy criticism after awarding Donald Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize in December 2025, just weeks before the 2026 World Cup draw. The award, presented by FIFA president Gianni Infantino in Washington D.C., was meant to honor “extraordinary actions for peace and unity.” However, controversy quickly followed as Trump’s administration launched military operations in Venezuela, captured President Nicolás Maduro, and issued threats of intervention against several other nations, including Iran and Greenland. Calls have since grown for FIFA to revoke the prize, with critics arguing that Trump’s actions contradict the spirit of peace the award represents. Despite internal embarrassment reported among FIFA officials, the organization has defended its decision, citing strong diplomatic relationships with the U.S. as vital to organizing the upcoming World Cup across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Meanwhile, political tensions have also reached the Olympic stage. Following U.S. military actions abroad, a group of British MPs urged international sporting bodies to consider expelling the United States from major competitions, including the Olympics and World Cup, until it demonstrates respect for international law. The International Olympic Committee, however, has refused to ban American athletes from the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. In a statement, the IOC emphasized that sport must remain separate from politics, stressing its mission to unite athletes across nations regardless of global conflicts. As world sports organizations navigate growing political pressures, both FIFA and the IOC face increasing scrutiny over where they draw the line between diplomacy, ethics, and the integrity of global sport.