New FIFA Peace Award to Crown Unity at the World Cup 2026 Draw
5 November 2025
World Cup 2026 Draw Details
FIFA announced a new award to be presented on the sidelines of the World Cup 2026 draw, slated for December 5, 2025. The ceremony will take place in Washington, D.C., at the Kennedy Center.
The prize, named the FIFA Peace Award - Football Unites the World, will honor individuals who have performed extraordinary acts for peace and used football to bring people together.
FIFA said the award will be given annually, with its first edition on December 5, 2025, handed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the World Cup draw in the United States.
In Infantino's words: "In a world growing more turbulent and divided, it's essential to recognize those who strive to end conflicts and bring people together in a spirit of peace."
"Football embodies peace, and in the name of the global football community, the FIFA Peace Award - Football Unites the World will honor the extraordinary efforts that unite people and inspire future generations."
The ceremony will mark a milestone as the World Cup draw for 2026 unfolds in the United States, bringing together fans and officials from around the world.
Qualified Teams for 2026 World Cup
The draw will determine the group stage on December 5, 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., United States. The Kennedy Center, a national cultural center and living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, will host officials from the 16 host cities, ambassadors, fans, host-city representatives, and global media.
The draw will begin at 12:00 local time and will be streamed live in the host countries and globally by FIFA's media partners.
As of now, 28 teams have qualified, with 20 more to join through the remaining qualification rounds and intercontinental playoffs. The two playoff slots for Bolivia and New Caledonia are secured, with four additional teams yet to qualify from various regions.
The teams that have qualified up to this point are: Hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States; Asia: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan; Africa: Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia; South America: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay; Oceania: New Zealand; Europe: England.
Fans from the host cities will have a chance to win free invitations to attend the event, including a VIP experience, with details to come. Additionally, North America will host the intercontinental playoff in March, featuring six teams from five continents, to determine two more World Cup berths. The FIFA Congress will follow on April 30 in Vancouver, Canada, as part of the tournament countdown.
Infantino said: "We are excited to host the final draw—the most anticipated moment in World Cup history—at the heart of American culture and entertainment, the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC."
He added: "The draw marks a milestone in the competition's journey, and we will continue the momentum toward the biggest sporting event in history, with many FIFA events in North America throughout 2026."
Infantino also noted: "We look forward to welcoming team delegations, partners, and global media, and, exceptionally, the fans representing each of the 16 host cities in the United States' capital for this historic moment."
Who has qualified so far includes a mix of the world’s football powerhouses and rising teams, with 42 spots allocated before the final tournament in 2026, marking the first edition with 48 teams from every continent.
And now for a couple of light jabs to keep things fun: one, if the trophy is all about peace, it must be the most polite cup—every kickoff comes with a courtesy nod and a handshake. Two, the only thing more universal than football is the urge to cheer, so here’s hoping the only cards handed out are yellow to political talkers—peace, please, not penalties.
