US President Donald Trump receives the FIFA ‘Peace Prize` from FIFA chief Gianni Infantino at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on December 5, 2025 during the 2026 FIFA World Cup`s final draw. (Photo by AFP)

US President Donald Trump has taken center stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw, prompting fans to quickly identify the event as "cringeworthy" and awkward.

On Friday, what was meant to be a celebration of the 47-team tournament across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, turned into, what critics called, an over-the-top display dominated by Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Infantino faced widespread criticism for his conduct, particularly for awarding Trump a newly created FIFA "Peace Prize."

The move sparked raucous debate among social media frequenters, was widely seen as pandering, and, according to numerous observers, marked the moment the internationally anticipated event went off kilter.

"The World Cup draw. It`s making me cringe," one fan tweeted, blasting Infantino for using the heavily-televised event to gratify Trump. "It`s sickening."

Another wrote, "The completely made-up ‘Peace Prize` just to appease Donald Trump is right up there. I genuinely cannot watch it."

The draw, hosted by Rio Ferdinand alongside US sports stars such as Tom Brady and Aaron Judge, was also criticized for a lengthy preamble and over-the-top production. One fan joked, "Is it possible to die from cringe? This World Cup draw is unwatchable."

In July, soccer fans booed Trump as he handed trophies to Chelsea, the winning team, following the FIFA Club World Cup`s final.

The spectacle saw Trump enter New Jersey`s MetLife Stadium during Chelsea`s stunning 3-0 triumph over Paris Saint-Germain, and sustain his presence throughout the awarding celebration.

It did not go down well with either the spectators or the players by almost any measure, turning his overall presence into, what critics described as, an uncalled-for intervention.