European Parliament members demand FIFA ethics investigation into Trump’s peace prize

A prize of Infantino’s own making

Gianni Infantino created the FIFA Peace Prize without consulting the FIFA Council and handed its inaugural edition to Donald Trump on 5 December 2025, at the World Cup draw in Washington. The American president had repeatedly described himself as a worthy Nobel Peace Prize candidate. Within days, the non‑profit FairSquare filed an eight‑page ethics complaint, arguing that the award violated FIFA’s statutory duty of political neutrality.

The complaint gains institutional backing

The Norwegian Football Association, under president Lise Klaveness, formally joined the FairSquare complaint. Klaveness had already called for the prize to be abolished in April 2026, and in early June she confirmed the NFF’s support while promising further pressure after the World Cup. FairSquare also launched a public campaign, “Reboot FIFA”, which had gathered more than 15,700 signatures by Monday afternoon.

It should also be assessed if it’s a breach of the political neutrality. That will be up to the ethical committee to assess.

European parliamentarians step in

On Monday, 50 MEPs from across the EU sent a letter to Infantino and the FIFA Council, copied to General Secretary Mattias Grafström. Organised by Irish MEP Barry Andrews, Dutch MEP Lara Wolters and Danish MEP Niels Fuglsang, the signatories represent ten EU countries: Ireland, Germany, Spain, France, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, Denmark, Slovakia and the Netherlands. The letter urges the Ethics Committee to pursue the investigation “with greatest speed and sincerity”.

This complaint represents an opportunity for FIFA to prove its commitment to political neutrality, transparency, and accountability.

Infantino’s alignment with the White House

Critics point to further signs of political favouritism. In spring 2026 Infantino joined Trump’s “Peace Council” and, at one meeting, donned a “MAGA”‑style cap placed before him. Bernd Neuendorf, president of the German FA and a FIFA Council member, defended the prize award despite not being consulted on its creation.

World Cup backdrop and next steps

With the 2026 World Cup under way in North America, FIFA acknowledged receipt of the December complaint but has not yet responded to the MEPs’ letter or to a request for comment from POLITICO. FairSquare’s complaint remains before FIFA’s Investigatory Chamber, and lawmakers argue the tournament’s global spotlight leaves the governing body with no room to delay.