All of this is in response
to FIFA's enthusiasm, which, during the 2026 World Cup draw, decided to grant
Donald Trump the first "Peace Prize." Whether the former U.S.
president deserves it or not is a matter for another debate.
The real question is
different: What is FIFA aiming for by handing out political awards while
ignoring its own statutes? Meanwhile, the NBA and the NFL are conquering
markets by taking games to Madrid, Paris, or Mexico City. They are expanding
into sports; FIFA is pursuing diplomatic marketing.
That FIFA gives out
awards is not the problem. The problem is giving them outside the realm of
soccer, as if it felt like the chancellor of the planet. Infantino prefers the
shortcut of political spectacle, a cheap marketing strategy in a country where
men's soccer is still a "Cinderella" story. Although not entirely.
The United States possesses one of the most powerful women's leagues in the
world and a four-time champion national team. Furthermore, thanks to Pelé,
Beckenbauer, Beckham, and now Messi, U.S. soccer has stopped being a guest and
become a protagonist. The final push comes from the 65 million Hispanics who
fill stadiums every weekend—most of them legal, even if Trump insists on
telling a different story.
It is true, soccer can
unite and pacify. But it also feeds racism, chants of hate, and organized
violence. Before handing out peace prizes, FIFA should focus on avoiding
another "FIFAgate," monitoring federations where some officials have
found new ways to benefit themselves, and combating match-fixing and illicit
betting that are sprouting like mushrooms. History is full of warnings,
including that absurd war between El Salvador and Honduras that also started on
a pitch.
Yes, there is corruption
in all disciplines. But that doesn't absolve FIFA, nor does it authorize it to
masquerade as a global statesman. Instead of taking selfies with the three
North American presidents, Infantino could have announced a price cut for World
Cup tickets, so the planet's most popular sport doesn't become an astronomical
luxury.
If it is about peace
prizes, there are plenty of candidates: from the Ukrainian Football
Association, keeping a national team alive in the middle of a war, to the U.S.
women's team fighting for equal pay. And of course, players like Messi or
Ronaldo, and clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, PSG, or Manchester
City, which unite the planet every weekend without diplomatic pretensions.
Peace is something else.
Soccer is, too. And everyone should stay in their own field.
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