Former President Donald Trump has reportedly expressed a desire for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to succeed António Guterres as the next United Nations secretary-general. According to a report by The New York Post, Trump believes Infantino is "respected by everyone around the world" and has a "special ability to bring people together," citing the successful co-hosting of the 2026 FIFA World Cup across multiple countries.
Trump's relationship with Infantino has included public appearances and acknowledgments. Trump presented the FIFA World Cup trophy following the final match between Spain and Argentina in July 2026. He also received FIFA's inaugural Peace Prize in December and presented the Club World Cup trophy the previous year. During the 2026 World Cup final, Trump was seated with Infantino.
The selection process for the next UN secretary-general is underway, with the new appointee set to begin their term on January 1, 2027. Guterres's tenure concludes in December. For Infantino to be considered, he would need endorsement from all 15 members of the UN Security Council, including the five permanent members who hold veto power, followed by confirmation from the General Assembly.
Paolo Zampolli, who serves as Trump's special envoy for global partnerships, told The Post that Infantino "would do a great job" and is "liked by everybody." Zampolli highlighted Infantino's experience managing FIFA, which has over 200 members, as comparable to the challenge of dealing with 193 UN member states.
Infantino, a Swiss national, has led FIFA since 2016. He has faced scrutiny from some soccer organizations over decisions such as the reversal of a red card for Folarin Balogun during the World Cup. Trump had previously contacted Infantino regarding this specific call. Infantino is also facing his own FIFA election in March 2027 for a potential fourth term.
The UN secretary-general role has also been linked to other potential candidates, including Chile's former socialist president Michelle Bachelet and Argentina's Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency. However, Grossi could face opposition from the United Kingdom due to the Falkland Islands dispute.
Trump's past actions regarding international organizations include reducing U.S. contributions to the UN and withdrawing from the World Health Organization, UNESCO, and the UN Human Rights Council.