https://nitter.net/MintPressNews/status/2013643227178451120
20 Jan 2026 · 4:02 PM UTC

Swedish football legend Hedvig Lindahl - the nation's most-capped goalkeeper -
publicly rejected an invitation from FIFA to join the "FIFA Legends" team for a
promotional match in Rio de Janeiro.

Lindahl stated she refused to let her image be used to legitimize FIFA's newly
established "Peace Award". She argued that the award and its associated events
risk "whitewashing" the ongoing suffering in Gaza, where she noted the
football-loving civilians and athletes who have been killed.

Lindahl specifically criticized FIFA President Gianni Infantino for awarding the
inaugural Peace Prize in December 2025 to Donald Trump, whom she noted has been
involved in multiple bombing campaigns.

In her official statement, she demanded that FIFA "clearly condemn behavior that
kills footballers" and expressed that she would only accept such an invitation
if the organization took a firm stand against the violence in Gaza.