Trump Eyes Infantino as Next UN Chief
President Donald Trump wants FIFA President Gianni Infantino to become the next secretary-general of the United Nations, The Post has learned.
According to sources close to the president, Trump believes Infantino has earned widespread international respect and possesses a rare ability to unite people from different backgrounds. Their relationship reportedly strengthened during preparations for this year’s FIFA World Cup, where Infantino worked closely with Trump and even presented him with FIFA’s first-ever Peace Prize in December.
The UN is expected to choose a new secretary-general later this year as António Guterres of Portugal prepares to leave office at the end of December. To secure the position, a candidate must first receive the backing of the 15-member UN Security Council, where any of the five permanent members can exercise a veto, before being confirmed by the General Assembly.
It remains uncertain whether Infantino has any interest in pursuing the role or whether Trump has discussed the possibility with him directly. Nevertheless, Trump reportedly sees an opportunity in what one insider described to The Post as a relatively weak field of candidates.
Among the leading contenders are former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, whose political background could create resistance from Washington, and Rafael Grossi of Argentina, the current director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, who may face concerns from the United Kingdom because of the long-running Falkland Islands dispute.
Selecting Infantino would break with the expected regional rotation that has favored a candidate from Latin America or the Caribbean. However, multiple sources told The Post that the informal geographic tradition may not prevent his candidacy and that he could receive support from more than one country.
Paolo Zampolli, the Italian-American businessman and diplomat serving as Trump’s special envoy for global partnerships, praised the idea in comments to The Post, saying, “Only President Trump could have such a genius idea.”
Zampolli described Infantino as someone who is well-liked internationally and capable of bringing fresh leadership to the UN. He suggested that Infantino could use the global appeal of sports to encourage cooperation, inspire young people, and help bridge international divisions.
“There is some similarity” between leading FIFA and serving as UN secretary-general, Zampolli said. He noted that while the UN represents 193 member states, FIFA oversees more than 200 member associations, adding that Infantino’s leadership record demonstrates his ability to manage a large international organization.
Although Zampolli spent time with Infantino during last weekend’s World Cup final in New Jersey, he said the UN position was never discussed and that he first learned of Trump’s interest through The Post.
Trump has frequently criticized the United Nations for what he considers an ineffective response to major global conflicts. Last year, he established a US-led Board of Peace, prompting speculation that it could become an alternative international body after he helped negotiate several peace agreements, including one involving Israel and Hamas. Trump denied those claims, saying instead that he hopes the UN will play a stronger role in future diplomacy.
Since returning to the White House last year, Trump has significantly reduced US funding for the United Nations and withdrawn the country from several UN-affiliated organizations, including the World Health Organization, UNESCO, and the UN Human Rights Council.
Supporters believe that appointing Infantino could improve relations between the Trump administration and the United Nations. However, accepting the position would require a major financial sacrifice. Infantino reportedly earns around $6 million annually as FIFA president, while the UN secretary-general’s compensation is approximately $418,000 per year.
Infantino has already announced that he intends to seek another term as FIFA president, with that election scheduled for next March. He did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment regarding the possibility of leading the United Nations.
Despite receiving endorsements from nearly all of FIFA’s 211 member associations, Infantino has recently faced criticism over Trump’s involvement in overturning a one-match suspension imposed on US national team player Folarin Balogun before the World Cup match against Belgium. The decision angered several European football officials, although the United States’ defeat to Belgium reduced the controversy.
Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter, whose administration was overshadowed by corruption allegations related to the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, has also joined those calling for Infantino to step down.
