In December 2022, FIFA president Gianni Infantino faced backlash after awarding the inaugural FIFA peace prize to then United States president Donald Trump during the World Cup draw in Washington D.C. This decision was met with criticism not only for Trump's controversial actions but also in light of the geopolitical landscape following U.S. military actions in Venezuela and aggressive stances on international affairs, notably concerning Greenland. Infantino argued that Trump's involvement in securing a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas justified the award. The criticism escalated after Infantino made light of the lack of arrests of British fans during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which he later apologized for, stating it was a failed attempt at humor aimed at highlighting the peaceful atmosphere of the event. Infantino insisted that the World Cup was a celebration that united fans globally. In parallel discussions, he indicated that FIFA and UEFA would explore re-admitting Russia into international football, noting that the ban following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 had not achieved positive results and expressing that providing young athletes a chance to compete could foster better relations. Infantino further dismissed the idea of a boycott against the World Cup typically arising from political unrest, emphasizing the need for unity through football in a divided world.