An interesting detail has emerged regarding the FIFA Peace Award presented to U.S. President Donald Trump during the draw ceremony for the 2026 World Cup held yesterday in Washington.
According to Idman.Biz, citing modern.az, the bronze award given to Trump is a miniature version of the famous artwork “Thoughts and Dreams” by Azerbaijan’s People’s Artists Salhab Mammadov and Ali İbadullayev.
Salhab Mammadov is the vice-rector of the State Academy of Fine Arts and the first deputy chairman of the Union of Artists. He is also the father of Elxan Mammadov, the former AFFA general secretary who now heads the Department of European National Associations at FIFA.
Ali İbadullayev is also a member of the Union of Artists.
Photo: Salhab Mammadov and Ali İbadullayev
The monument, which is 4 meters tall, is located in Geneva, in the park in front of the UN Palace of Nations.
Constructed between 1929 and 1938, the Palace of Nations is one of the largest public buildings in the world, and its surrounding Ariana Park, covering 46 hectares, is among Geneva’s largest parks. More than 2,000 works of art, paintings, and sculptures are displayed in the Palace of Nations and Ariana Park. This rich collection covers themes such as peace, equality, development, progress, freedom, human rights, and the environment, which are the core values of the UN.
The monument was gifted to the UN on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Azerbaijan’s membership in the organization.
It should be noted that FIFA has established this award for the first time. FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized Trump’s “extraordinary work done in the name of peace,” stating that the U.S. President should even have been considered for the Nobel Peace Prize “for his efforts to unite people and his steps to maintain peace around the world.”
“Considering this initiative and what you have achieved along the way, you fully deserve FIFA’s first Peace Award,” Infantino said.
Trump, in his speech, claimed that through his diplomatic initiatives he had “saved the lives of tens of millions of people” and prevented many conflicts “before they began.”
“This is one of the greatest honors of my life,” the U.S. President stressed.
