Socceroos vice-captain Jackson Irvine has strongly criticised FIFA's decision to award its inaugural peace prize to US President Donald Trump, arguing that the move undermines the governing body's own human rights commitments.
Irvine's Criticism of FIFA
The German-based midfielder, who plays for St. Pauli, said the decision makes a mockery of FIFA's Human Rights Policy and its efforts to use football as a force for good. Speaking to Reuters, Irvine stated: "As an organisation, you would have to say decisions like the one that we saw awarding this peace prize makes a mockery of what they’re trying to do with the human rights charter and trying to use football as a global driving force for good and positive change in the world."
FIFA's Controversial Decision
FIFA president Gianni Infantino presented Trump with the prize at the men's World Cup draw in December last year, after Trump was overlooked by the Nobel Foundation in October. Infantino claimed Trump delivered "peace and unity" ahead of the US co-hosting the 2026 World Cup with Canada and Mexico. The tournament is expected to be the most expensive sporting event in history.
Trump's Actions Post-Prize
Since receiving the award, Trump has ordered the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and, without direct congressional approval, launched joint air strikes with Israel on Iran on February 28. These actions have drawn further criticism of FIFA's decision.
Irvine's Concerns for the World Cup
Irvine also expressed concerns about the safety of minority groups during the 2026 World Cup in the US. He noted that Trump has previously refused to guarantee the safety of the Iran national team, whose group stage matches are scheduled on US soil. "It’s not an issue just in the Middle East, in America we’re seeing more and more of the rights of these communities ... being taken away all over the country," Irvine said. He called for Trump to ensure the safety of all groups during the tournament.
Irvine's History of Advocacy
The 33-year-old St. Pauli captain has a long history of speaking out on humanitarian issues. Before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Irvine and 15 other players called for the decriminalisation of same-sex relationships in a video. He hopes to see widespread support for minority rights during the upcoming World Cup in the US.
