Trump Eyes FIFA President Infantino for UN Secretary-General Role
US President Donald Trump is reportedly backing FIFA President Gianni Infantino as a candidate to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, following what has been described as a growing relationship between the two leaders.
According to a New York Post report, Trump believes Infantino has the global recognition and leadership qualities required to head the UN after António Guterres steps down at the end of December.
Infantino, a former UEFA Secretary General, became FIFA president in February 2016 after succeeding Sepp Blatter, whose 18-year tenure ended amid a corruption scandal that triggered one of the biggest crises in football governance. Infantino was elected with a promise to restore FIFA’s image and oversee reforms at the organisation.
Since taking charge, the Swiss-Italian football administrator has expanded FIFA’s global influence, overseeing major changes including the growth of international competitions and strengthening relationships with political leaders around the world.
A source close to Trump told the New York Post that the US president believes Infantino is respected globally and has “a special ability to unite people.”
The report comes after Infantino and Trump developed a closer relationship during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the two were frequently seen together during events surrounding the tournament.
Paolo Zampolli, Trump’s Special Envoy for Global Partnerships and a friend of Infantino, also backed the idea, saying: “Only President Trump could have such a brilliant idea.” He added that Infantino “would do a great job” because of his experience managing FIFA, an organisation with more than 200 member associations.
However, Infantino’s potential move into international politics would face significant challenges. The UN Secretary-General is chosen through a process requiring approval from the Security Council and General Assembly, with geopolitical considerations often playing a major role.
While Infantino has extensive experience managing a global organisation, critics may question whether football leadership can translate into handling complex diplomatic issues such as wars, humanitarian crises and international conflicts.
Infantino, who is expected to seek re-election as FIFA president in 2027, has not indicated any interest in the UN position. A move to the United Nations would also represent a major financial sacrifice, with his FIFA earnings reportedly far exceeding the salary of the UN Secretary-General.
For now, Trump’s reported backing remains speculation, but it has added an unexpected development to the search for Guterres’ successor and raised questions about whether the influence of global sport could extend into international diplomacy.