In a surprising move, former U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering nominating FIFA President Gianni Infantino for the position of United Nations Secretary-General, according to an exclusive report by the New York Post on Tuesday.
This proposal comes shortly after the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, highlighting the close bond Trump and Infantino have developed during the tournament's organization.
Sources close to Trump, as cited by the New York Post, suggest that he views Infantino as "respected by everyone globally" and notes his exceptional ability to bring people together.
Neither Trump nor Infantino has publicly confirmed the potential candidacy. The 56-year-old Swiss official did not respond to the New York Post's request for comment.
Leadership Transition at the UN
The position will become vacant on December 31, 2026, following the end of Portuguese António Guterres's second term. Any candidate for the role needs first to secure a recommendation from the Security Council—where the U.S. holds veto power—and then obtain ratification from the General Assembly.
Infantino's possible nomination would break the unwritten tradition of favoring candidates from Latin America or the Caribbean, a region that hasn't seen a Secretary-General since Peru's Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, who served from 1982 to 1991.
Potential Candidates and Support
Official candidates registered with the UN include former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency from Argentina, UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan, and former Senegalese President Macky Sall.
Trump's special envoy for global partnerships, Paolo Zampolli, who is also a personal friend of Infantino, enthusiastically supported the idea in the New York Post, stating, "Only President Trump could come up with such a brilliant idea."
Zampolli further argued that the role is not drastically different from Infantino's current position: "In the United Nations, you deal with 193 member states, and in FIFA, there are over 200 members. Gianni's impressive track record proves he knows how to manage."
Building a Strong Relationship
The relationship between Trump and Infantino has been strengthened by several key events during the World Cup. In December 2025, Infantino awarded Trump the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize during the tournament draw in Washington—a gesture that led to a complaint before FIFA's ethics committee for a potential breach of political neutrality.
In July 2026, following a phone call from Trump to Infantino, FIFA reversed a red card given to American forward Folarin Balogun, a decision that sparked protests from Belgium and other European countries.
On July 18, Infantino publicly praised Trump at an event in New York, stating that the tournament "would not have been an incredible success" without him.
Potential Impact on International Relations
Appointing Infantino as head of the UN could improve Trump's strained relationship with the multilateral organization. Since returning to the White House in January 2025, Trump has slashed U.S. contributions to the UN and withdrawn from the World Health Organization, the Human Rights Council, and UNESCO.
The move would also mean a significant pay cut for Infantino, who currently earns approximately $6 million annually at FIFA, compared to the UN Secretary-General's salary of around $418,000.
Moreover, Infantino has already declared his candidacy for re-election as FIFA President, with the vote scheduled for March 18, 2027, in Morocco.
Gianni Infantino's Potential Role at the UN
What is Gianni Infantino's current position?
Gianni Infantino is currently the President of FIFA, the governing body for world soccer.
Why does Trump want Infantino for the UN role?
Trump believes Infantino is globally respected and has a unique talent for uniting people, which he views as essential qualities for a UN Secretary-General.
What challenges would Infantino face as UN Secretary-General?
Infantino would need to navigate complex international politics and secure backing from the Security Council and General Assembly while transitioning from a sports governance role to a diplomatic one.
How might Infantino's appointment affect Trump's UN relations?
If Infantino were appointed, it could improve Trump's tense relations with the UN, potentially leading to a more collaborative international approach.