Trump wants FIFA’s Infantino as next UN chief

President Donald Trump wants FIFA President Gianni Infantino to become the next secretary-general of the United Nations, the New York Post reported on Monday, a move that would cap an extraordinary political alliance forged during the 2026 World Cup.x

The report comes just two days after Trump and Infantino stood together at MetLife Stadium to hand the World Cup trophy to Spain following their extra-time victory over Argentina in the final on July 19. Trump is said to view Infantino's global profile and their close personal relationship as qualifications for the UN's top diplomatic post.reutersconnect+1

A Relationship Deepened by the World Cup

The Trump-Infantino partnership has been one of the defining features of the 2026 tournament. At a FIFA reception at Trump Tower on July 17, Infantino credited the Trump administration for making the World Cup "the greatest human, social and cultural event ever organized," while Trump called Infantino a "great" leader and declared the tournament "the most successful sporting event maybe in the history of the world".espn+2

Their bond drew controversy earlier in the tournament when Trump acknowledged calling Infantino to request a review of a red card issued to U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, which FIFA subsequently suspended. The episode prompted human rights group FairSquare to file an ethics complaint with the International Olympic Committee, citing Infantino's "repeated breach of political neutrality rules".nypost+4

A Crowded Race Already Underway

The selection process for the next UN secretary-general is already well advanced. António Guterres's term expires at the end of 2026, with his successor due to take office on January 1, 2027. Four candidates have formally entered the race: former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan, and former Senegalese President Macky Sall.unric+2

The United States holds a veto on the UN Security Council, giving Trump substantial leverage over the selection. The Council must recommend a candidate with at least nine votes and no vetoes from any of the five permanent members before the General Assembly can make an appointment. However, nominating Infantino — a Swiss-Italian sports executive with no diplomatic background — would represent an unprecedented break from tradition. Whether member states would support such a candidacy remains an open question as negotiations move behind closed doors later this year.reuters+1