EditTrump wants Infantino for UN Secretary General
This push follows years of Infantino methodically building ties with Trump to safeguard FIFA’s interests in the lucrative U.S. market
Reports surfaced Tuesday that U.S. President Donald Trump is actively promoting FIFA President Gianni Infantino as his top choice to replace António Guterres as the next United Nations Secretary-General.
According to the New York Post, a source close to Trump believes the 56-year-old Swiss-Italian sports executive is “respected by everyone around the world” and has a “special ability to bring people together.” The endorsement comes amid preparations for the UN leadership transition, with Guterres’ current term concluding at the end of 2026 and the new appointee expected to begin a five-year term on 1 January 2027. Trump’s interest highlights his desire to reshape international institutions with figures he views as effective unifiers, following his criticisms of the UN’s handling of global conflicts and his establishment of a parallel U.S.-led Board of Peace.
The UN Secretary-General selection process involves the 15-member Security Council recommending a candidate, subject to veto by any of the five permanent members, before General Assembly approval. While no official slate of candidates has been published, past selections have favoured career diplomats and political leaders with extensive multilateral experience from regions such as Europe, Africa, and Latin America. Infantino’s background as head of football’s governing body since 2016 marks a sharp departure, lacking traditional diplomatic credentials but offering global visibility and proven skills in managing large-scale international events. Observers note the proposal could test the UN system’s openness to non-traditional figures, especially given Trump’s influence and the ongoing geopolitical tensions that make consensus difficult. The timing coincides with the recent conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, where Infantino and Trump collaborated closely.
This push follows years of Infantino methodically building ties with Trump to safeguard FIFA’s interests in the lucrative U.S. market. Highlights include leasing office space in Trump Tower, presenting Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize at the World Cup draw in December 2025 – complete with trophy, medal, and public praise – and accommodating Trump’s request to review a controversial red card given to U.S. striker Folarin Balogun during the tournament. In that July 2026 incident, Trump confirmed calling Infantino directly, after which FIFA’s disciplinary committee suspended the ban under a rarely invoked rule, allowing Balogun to play despite widespread criticism from European federations and former officials who decried political interference.
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Infantino has consistently defended these moves as maintaining independence while emphasizing mutual benefits, such as record revenues and high attendance for the World Cup. Critics argue the pattern reflects Infantino prioritizing access to power over the organization’s neutrality statutes, with ethics complaints filed over the Peace Prize and other gestures.
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A UN Secretary-General typically requires broad support from the Security Council’s permanent members, including France under President Emmanuel Macron and the United Kingdom under Prime Minister Burnham, making Infantino’s prospects highly unlikely given his lack of traditional diplomatic experience and the unconventional nature of Trump’s endorsement.
Caption: FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during Global Citizen NOW in New York, New York, USA, 14 May 2026. Global Citizen and FIFA announced that the FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show on 19 July will feature Madonna, Shakira, and BTS as headliners. EPA/SARAH YENESEL
Updated: July 22, 2026 - 06:11
