GENEVA (AP) — A new world peace prize is being established on the ground. It was created by FIFAnot Nobel.
The World Football Association announced this week that it would be handing out annual awards to recognize “individuals who have taken extraordinary and extraordinary actions in the cause of peace.”
Few details were provided about the award, and there was no indication that the nominees were limited to the sports world. This sparked widespread speculation that it would be sent to President Donald Trump. failed so far — campaigned for the Nobel Peace Prize.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino The two have forged a strong alliance in the lead-up to next year’s World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The two met in Miami on Wednesday, the day FIFA announced the new awards, where they spoke at a conference of business leaders.
Here’s what we know and don’t know about this award.
Will Donald Trump win?
Infantino has previously made it clear that he sees Trump as a champion of world peace.
On October 9, the day before this year’s Nobel Peace Prize was announced, Trump posted on Instagram that he “definitely deserves the award” for his efforts toward the Gaza peace agreement.
The next day, the Nobel Prize winner was not Trump; maria corina machadoa Venezuelan democratic activist.
Asked Wednesday in Miami whether Trump would win the FIFA award, Infantino laughed and said, “We’ll find out on December 5th.”
How are prizes announced?
The award will be announced in Washington on Dec. 5, when the World Cup draw will be held at the Kennedy Center, an arts venue owned by Trump. changed shape this year.
Here are the dates and venues of soccer events of great importance to players and fans around the world: This was revealed in the Oval Office in August.
A lottery will see the qualifying countries allocated into 12 four-team groups, which will determine the schedule for the 104-game opening tournament to be played in 16 cities in June and July next year. This is where the World Cup tournament held every four years takes shape, where imagined future opponents become reality and where travel plans take shape.
The Peace Prize marks a departure from the tradition of draws, which usually focus solely on soccer.
How will the winner be chosen?
FIFA has not disclosed details of the winner selection process. The organization did not respond to emailed questions from The Associated Press on Thursday about who would choose the winners or what criteria would be used.
“It is fundamental to recognize the outstanding contributions of those working hard to end conflicts and unite people in the spirit of peace,” Infantino wrote on his Instagram account.
FIFA previously said the award recognizes “individuals who have performed extraordinary and extraordinary actions in the cause of peace, thereby uniting peoples around the world.”
Why would FIFA do this?
FIFA often promotes football as a tool for peace and unity, but has never officially established a peace prize.
If Mr. Trump wins the FIFA award, it could further raise awareness that the award was created after no U.S. president won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Few FIFA officials came forward Thursday to discuss plans for the award.
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