Australia’s Jackson Irvine says Trump’s Fifa peace prize makes ‘mockery’ of football
Jackson Irvine, an Australian footballer, criticized Fifa for awarding its inaugural peace prize to Donald Trump, arguing it undermines the sport's human rights commitments. Irvine, who is set to appear in his third World Cup, expressed concerns that such decisions make a mockery of football's role as a force for good. His comments come amid rising tensions related to the upcoming tournament, including geopolitical issues and human rights concerns in the US.
- ▪Jackson Irvine is the captain of St Pauli and a veteran midfielder for the Socceroos.
- ▪He criticized Fifa's decision to award a peace prize to Donald Trump, stating it contradicts the organization's human rights obligations.
- ▪Irvine has a history of advocating for human rights issues and has previously spoken out about conditions in Qatar and the rights of LGBTI+ communities.
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Australian footballer and St Pauli captain Jackson Irvine has spoken out about Fifa’s awarding of its inaugural peace prize to US president Donald Trump. Photograph: Ulrik Pedersen/ZUMA Press Wire/ShutterstockView image in fullscreenAustralian footballer and St Pauli captain Jackson Irvine has spoken out about Fifa’s awarding of its inaugural peace prize to US president Donald Trump. Photograph: Ulrik Pedersen/ZUMA Press Wire/ShutterstockFootball politicsAustralia’s Jackson Irvine says Trump’s Fifa peace prize makes ‘mockery’ of footballSt Pauli captain says decision undermines the sport as force for goodSocceroos veteran is on track for third World Cup appearanceJack SnapeWed 29 Apr 2026 04.14 EDTLast modified on Wed 29 Apr 2026 17.25 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleWorld Cup-bound…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Guardian — Football.