President Donald Trump is advocating for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, according to a report by the New York Post. The push comes after the successful 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, which Trump praised for bringing the world together.
Trump Praises Infantino's Leadership
Trump has reportedly told allies that the 56-year-old Swiss football administrator is “respected by everyone around the world” and possesses “a special ability to bring people together.” The US President's admiration for Infantino has grown following the World Cup, which he described as a unifying event. Trump established a White House Task Force to oversee the tournament and has requested that the competition return to the US as soon as possible.
Infantino visited the United States in December 2025, where he met with Trump and presented him with the inaugural FIFA Global Peace Prize. Reports indicate that Infantino rented office space in Trump Tower and accompanied the president on trips to Qatar and Saudi Arabia. At the final match between Argentina and Spain, Trump joined Infantino on stage to hand out medals and the trophy to Spain.
Controversial Relationship
The relationship has not been without controversy. Trump admitted to calling Infantino to request a review of a red card issued to US forward Folarin Balogun ahead of a Round of 16 tie against Belgium. The card was subsequently overturned, drawing criticism from football associations worldwide, who accused FIFA of bowing to political pressure. The US lost 4-1 to Belgium. Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter also criticized the relationship, calling for Infantino's removal over concerns about political influence on FIFA decisions.
Challenges to UN Appointment
While Trump supports Infantino for the UN role, the process is complex. Under Article 97 of the UN Charter, the Secretary-General is selected by the General Assembly based on a recommendation from the Security Council. A member state must nominate a candidate, who then undergoes public questioning and Security Council straw polls. The candidate must secure at least nine Security Council votes and avoid a veto from any of the five permanent members: the United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, or China.
Infantino's tenure as FIFA President has seen significant changes, including expanding the World Cup to 64 teams. Despite criticism over commercialisation and external influences, Infantino is expected to stand for reelection for a fourth term at the FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco, in 2027. Given his influence and lengthy career with FIFA, he may not be keen to trade the FIFA Presidency for a stint as UN Secretary-General.
