Trump Reportedly Wants Infantino as UN Chief

US President Donald Trump reportedly wants FIFA President Gianni Infantino to be the next UN Secretary-General. This astonishing claim has been reported by the conservative American newspaper "New York Post" and the Italian news agency ANSA, both citing sources within Trump's inner circle.

The American leader reportedly highly valued Infantino's organization of the 2026 World Cup across the USA, Canada, and Mexico. After the tournament, Trump even declared it the greatest World Cup ever staged.

In December, FIFA also established its own peace award, which it bestowed upon Trump. Trump frequently asserts that he has ended several conflicts worldwide and therefore deserves the Nobel Peace Prize. The American President also believes Infantino is respected globally and possesses an incredible ability to unite people – a claim many in Europe, at least, would certainly dispute.

The second term of the current UN Secretary-General, Portugal's António Guterres, concludes at the end of this year. This means a successor must be chosen this autumn. To secure the position, the candidate needs the support of the 15 member states of the UN Security Council, where five permanent members hold veto power.

It remains unclear whether Infantino himself would desire this role, as both media outlets note, suggesting it's far more probable he would prefer to remain in his current position as FIFA President.

Regarding Trump's idea for Infantino to be the next UN Secretary-General, Paolo Zampolli, an Italian-American businessman and Trump's emissary for global partnerships, stated that only the American president could conceive such a brilliant idea. According to Zampolli, Infantino would do an excellent job as Secretary-General. Zampolli added that there are many similarities between leading FIFA and serving as UN Secretary-General. Zampolli is a personal friend of Infantino.

Trump has often criticized the UN for its inefficiency and inability to halt wars worldwide. Earlier this year, the American leader established a new body called the Peace Council, which several analysts speculated could become a rival organization to the UN, as reported by the "New York Post."

Currently, as head of FIFA, Infantino earns approximately $6 million annually. If elected Secretary-General, he would receive only about $418,000 per year. Infantino has not yet commented on the reports regarding Trump's idea. He has already announced his intention to seek re-election as FIFA president.

Typically, the position of UN Secretary-General is determined by rotation, and it is expected that a candidate from Latin America will be chosen this year, as the last Secretary-General from that region was Javier Pérez de Cuéllar of Peru, who served from 1982-1991. Among the current candidates for the UN are former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, a socialist who is expected to face opposition from the US, and Argentina's Rafael Grossi, who heads the International Atomic Energy Agency.

During the World Cup, Infantino and FIFA found themselves embroiled in a significant controversy regarding a rescinded red card for American striker Folarin Balogun, reportedly after intervention from Trump.