Former US President Donald Trump is apparently advocating for Gianni Infantino, the current President of FIFA, to assume the role of Secretary-General of the United Nations. A close source disclosed to the New York Post that Trump holds Infantino in high regard, suggesting he is regarded globally and possesses a unique talent for uniting people.
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As António Guterres, the current U.N. chief, prepares to step down at the end of the year following two full terms, the position of Secretary-General is set to become vacant. This scenario has prompted speculation about potential successors, with Infantino emerging as a prominent candidate in Trump’s view.
To secure the Secretary-General role, a nominee must receive backing from their home country, a nod from the U.N. Security Council without a veto, and ultimately, confirmation from the General Assembly. Infantino, who is Swiss-Italian, has stirred multiple discussions worldwide since his tenure began at FIFA, particularly surrounding various controversies and reforms within football governance.
Support for Trump’s suggestion has also surfaced from his inner circle. Paolo Zampolli, an Italian-American businessman and Trump’s special envoy for global partnerships, expressed confidence that Infantino would excel in the position. Zampolli noted the similarities between leading FIFA and the United Nations, highlighting the need to navigate diverse groups, whether it be FIFA’s over 200 member associations or the U.N.’s 193 nation-states.
Zampolli articulated admiration for Trump’s idea, mentioning, “only President Trump could have such a genius idea,” and reiterated that Infantino is a well-liked figure globally. Despite endorsements from the Trump administration, Infantino’s presidency has not been free from scrutiny, with numerous critics calling out decisions made during his tenure at FIFA.
The relationship between Trump and Infantino has been notably close, especially as they interacted leading up to the 2026 World Cup, which the United States is co-hosting. Infantino made headlines last December when he bestowed the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize upon Trump, celebrating the former president’s initiatives aimed at fostering peace. At the award ceremony, Infantino stated, “You definitely deserve the first FIFA Peace Prize for your action… you can always count, Mr. President, on my support, on the support of the entire soccer community.”
This camaraderie continued into the summer, during the 2026 World Cup. Trump was seen reaching out to Infantino regarding a contentious decision that saw U.S. striker Folarin Balogun issued a red card during a match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Trump’s intervention led to FIFA reversing the initial suspension, thus allowing Balogun to play in crucial knockout matches.
The two were also spotted together during the World Cup final on July 19, when Trump joined Infantino in celebrating Spain’s victory over Argentina. However, Trump’s presence at the event was met with mixed reactions, receiving boos from sections of the crowd.
The discussions about Infantino stepping into a more expansive diplomatic role continue against a backdrop of ongoing global challenges. While the U.N. has a vital role in fostering international cooperation, many critics of Infantino’s leadership stress the complex nature of addressing global issues compared to the sporting world.
As the countdown begins for the next U.N. Secretary-General, the nomination process and ensuing discussions are likely to garner considerable attention, particularly from the footballing community and political circles that keenly observe the interactions between sports governance and international diplomacy.