Sport24.az
U.S. President Donald Trump became the first laureate of the FIFA Peace Prize, presented at the draw ceremony for the 2026 World Cup football, held today at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Sport24.az reports that the award itself — a bronze statuette called "Thoughts and Dreams" created by renowned Azerbaijani folk artists Salhab Mammadov and Ali Ibadullayev — was a special moment of the ceremony. Thus, Azerbaijan's contribution to world art was at the center of one of the most remarkable international events of the year.
The sculpture depicts hands supporting a fragmented sphere - a visual metaphor that expresses the fragility of the modern world and the shared responsibility of people to preserve peace, strive for harmony and unity.
The bronze composition combines precise sculpture with multi-layered symbolism, reflecting the interrelationship of thought, intention, and action.
A monumental version of the same work has been installed near the UN Office in Geneva, highlighting its international importance.
The ceremony, attended by delegations from all 48 teams participating in the 2026 World Cup, was part of a broader FIFA initiative aimed at strengthening international cooperation.
One of the most memorable moments of the evening was the Azerbaijani artwork "Thoughts and Dreams." The selection of Mammadov and Ibadullayev's sculpture as the symbol of the first FIFA Peace Prize was a clear indication of the growing recognition of Azerbaijani art on the international stage and the ability of the country's artists to address global themes in a universal visual language.
As the United States, Canada, and Mexico prepare for the biggest World Cup in history, today's ceremony was not only a landmark moment for world football, but also a significant display of Azerbaijani culture on one of the world's most important stages.
