The bronze statuette presented as the Peace Award to U.S. President Donald Trump during the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington has sparked unprecedented interest both across the global football community and in Azerbaijan in particular.
It was later revealed that the statuette is a miniature version of the famous sculpture “Reflections and Dreams” by Azerbaijani sculptors Salhab Mammadov and Ali Ibadullayev, the original of which is installed in Geneva in front of the United Nations headquarters.
Idman.biz obtained an exclusive comment on the matter from one of the authors of the sculpture — People’s Artist of Azerbaijan, Vice-Rector of the State Academy of Arts, and First Deputy Chairman of the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan, Salhab Mammadov.
“The fact is that FIFA reached out to all football federations requesting proposals for a statuette design for this new Peace Award. Our sculpture created together with Ali Ibadullayev was already known to them. I believe they chose it because it reflects the values of the organization and fits this nomination perfectly. The globe in this case also symbolizes a football, supported by people from different countries and continents. In addition to the statuette, they commissioned us to create a medal and a commemorative badge, since the winner of this nomination will receive not just the statuette but the entire set,” said Salhab Mammadov.
“Of course, I am very pleased that in this way we have left a mark on world football and that the work of Azerbaijani sculptors was chosen as such a meaningful prize. Seven years ago, when the four-meter version of our sculpture was installed in front of the UN headquarters, we could not have imagined that it would one day be needed by FIFA. And to be honest, I did not expect such excitement around this award,” the People’s Artist noted.
Vugar Vugarli
