U.S. President Donald Trump could back FIFA President Gianni Infantino as a candidate for the next United Nations Secretary-General, according to a report published Tuesday by the American newspaper The New York Post.
Citing unnamed sources, the newspaper reported that Trump views the 56-year-old Infantino as an internationally respected figure with the ability to unite diverse sectors—an assessment rooted in the close relationship the two developed during the organization of the 2026 World Cup.
The successor to Portugal’s António Guterres, whose mandate concludes in December, will be selected this year. The appointment first requires a recommendation from the UN Security Council, where the United States holds veto power, before being confirmed by the General Assembly.
Read more about this topic: Trump confirms requesting FIFA re-evaluation of Balogun red card (with video)
Across his two presidential terms, Trump has maintained a strained relationship with the UN, frequently questioning the role of multilateral organizations and withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, the World Health Organization, and the Human Rights Council.
The connection between Trump and Infantino deepened significantly throughout the 2026 World Cup, joint-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with the two making numerous joint appearances at tournament-related events. In December, the U.S. President received the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, awarded by the Swiss administrator’s organization.
