SerpApi.Org
Donald Trump is backing FIFA President Gianni Infantino to become the next United Nations Secretary-General after their high-profile partnership during the World Cup put them in the spotlight.
Trump is backing Infantino for the job, with Antonio Guterres expected to step down at the end of December 2026. Guterres has served as Secretary-General for nine years, while Infantino has led FIFA since 2016.
Trump reportedly sees Infantino as a unifier with global respect after years working with soccer leagues, World Cup national associations, and major sponsors and sees him as an ideal fit, according to the New York Post. It comes after a lip reader revealed Infantino's plea to Trump that he ignored at the World Cup final and a body language expert spotted the reason for his 'purposeful' stunt.
• FIFA World Cup final viewing figures announced and how they compare to Super Bowl
• Democratic congresswomen launches scathing attack on Donald Trump's World Cup appearance
Trump's support for Infantino grew after the 2026 World Cup ended, after the two were seen together during the tournament's final days. Infantino could still seek a fourth term as FIFA President when his current cycle ends in 2027.
"The World Cup turned out to be a spectacular SUCCESS!" Trump wrote on Truth Social after Spain beat Argentina in the final. He thanked law enforcement and others who helped, and gave special praise to Andrew Giuliani and Infantino.
"Few people will ever be able to accomplish what he has done in elevating the World Cup to a level that nobody thought was possible." Trump was seen with Infantino after England lost to Argentina in the semifinals and again during Spain’s trophy and medal celebration.
The US President still cannot simply appoint Infantino to the Secretary-General position. Under Article 97 of the UN Charter, the Secretary-General is selected by the General Assembly based on a recommendation from the Security Council.
A member state must first nominate a candidate, then go through public questioning and Security Council straw polls before any official recommendation.
The main challenge is getting at least nine Security Council votes and avoiding a veto from any of the five permanent members: the United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, or China.
Trump can campaign and try to flex his power should he attempt to use it following the New York Post report. Their relationship drew more attention after Trump called Infantino before FIFA suspended US striker Folarin Balogun's red card ahead of the Round of 16 match against Belgium.
The decision led to more accusations of corruption, though FIFA said Trump's influence did not affect the outcome. Reports said FIFA Disciplinary Committee chairman Mohammad al-Kamali reportedly made the call without input from the other 18 members.
The 2026 World Cup final set a record with 62.8 million TV viewers. The tournament brought in $15.2 billion in revenue, both all-time highs.
