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.
Which is more hilarious---The FIFA Peace Award or the Nobel Peace Prize?
on January 21, 2026, 8:51 am