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Months after being awarded the first ever FIFA Peace Prize and days after the conclusion of a politically scrutinized World Cup, President Donald Trump has backed Gianni Infantino to take over a different multinational organization.
According to the New York Post, President Trump believes that Infantino should become the next secretary-general of the United Nations.
The two worked together over the years to help organize the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, with Infantino even renting space in Trump Tower in New York City to serve as offices for FIFA.
Sources told the Post that Trump believes Infantino 'is respected by everyone around the world, and recognizes [Infantino] has a special ability to bring people together.'
These words come after Infantino and FIFA were repeatedly criticized by the global community before, during and after the World Cup over a myriad of political, economic and social issues that shrouded the tournament in controversy.
This comes as the current UN secretary-general, Antonio Guterres of Portugal, plans to retire from his position at the end of the year.
No prior experience with the UN is required and there are few formal rules regarding which kinds of candidates can be nominated.
As for selection, Infantino would require the endorsement of the 15 members of the UN Security Council. The five permanent members of the council - China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States - all hold veto power.
From there, the General Assembly votes to confirm a candidate.
So far, seven candidates have received official nominations - with the established precedent of geographic rotation favoring candidates from Latin America, South America or the Caribbean.
Among these include former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet and Rafael Grossi, an Argentine diplomat who is the current director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Both are believed to be the front-runners.
The selection of Infantino, who was born in Switzerland, would upend that precedent. However, the Post says this would not necessarily block the FIFA president's selection.
Since Trump's re-election, the White House has slashed contributions to the UN and has pulled out of multiple sub-organizations such as the World Health Organization, UNESCO and the UN Human Rights Council.
Infantino has declared his candidacy for FIFA president in a re-election which is set to take place next March.
He earns about $6million each year atop the global football governing body. If he were to be elected to the secretary-general position, it'd come with a massive pay-cut as his compensation would drop to $418,000.
The White House and FIFA did not immediately respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment.
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