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Trump reportedly believes Infantino “is respected by everyone around the world” and could bring the world together at the helm of the U.N.
NEED TO KNOW
- Donald Trump is reportedly interested in seeing FIFA President Gianni Infantino take over the United Nations next year
- A source close to Trump told the New York Post that the U.S. president thinks Infantino is widely respected and could bring the world together as secretary-general of the international peace organization
- Infantino and Trump demonstrated their close relationship in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S. co-hosted
President Donald Trump is reportedly interested in seeing FIFA President Gianni Infantino become the next secretary-general of the United Nations.
A source described as close to the president told the New York Post that Trump, 80, believes Infantino “is respected by everyone around the world, and recognizes he has a special ability to bring people together.”
Former Portugal Prime Minister António Guterres will vacate his role as U.N. secretary-general at the end of the year after serving two five-year terms, opening the door for a new world leader to run the international peace organization.
To become secretary-general, a candidate must receive a state nomination, win the endorsement of the Security Council without being vetoed, and get confirmed by the General Assembly.
At least one member of Trump’s circle echoed his apparent support for Infantino in conversation with the Post.
Italian-American businessman and diplomat Paolo Zampolli, who serves as Trump’s special envoy for global partnerships, told the outlet that “only President Trump could have such a genius idea.”
Zampolli said Infantino “would do a great job” and is “liked by everybody.”
“There is some similarity” between the roles of being FIFA president and leader of the U.N., Zampolli, 56, continued. “At the United Nations, you have to deal with 193 member states. In FIFA, there are over 200 members [and] Gianni’s great record shows he knows how to manage.”
Despite U.S. endorsements, Infantino has received widespread criticism around the globe since taking over FIFA. Prior to joining the organization, the Swiss-born administrator served as secretary-general of the Union of European Football Associations. He became a member of the International Olympic Committee in 2020.
PEOPLE reached out to the White House and FIFA for comment about the Post’s report.
Last December, Infantino got in Trump’s good graces by awarding the U.S. president FIFA’s inaugural peace prize while picking the final seeds for the 2026 World Cup tournament.
“You definitely deserve the first FIFA Peace Prize for your action, for what you have obtained in your way, but you obtained it in an incredible way,” Infantino, 56, said while presenting the honorary award in Washington, D.C. “And you can always count, Mr. President, on my support, on the support of the entire … soccer community to help you make peace and make the world prosper.”
The close relationship between the two made headlines again during the 2026 World Cup this summer, when Trump turned to Infantino after a controversial call involving the U.S. team.
On July 6, Trump confirmed that he contacted Infantino after U.S. striker Folarin Balogun received a red card during the team’s 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, which resulted in a one-game suspension. The decision was later overturned by FIFA, clearing Balogun to play in the United States’ knockout-stage match against Belgium.
The pair appeared together again at the championship game, when Trump joined Infantino on the field after Spain’s 1-0 win over Argentina on Sunday, July 19. Trump’s appearance during Spain’s celebration earned boos from the stadium.
Infantino watched the final game alongside Trump and his family in a suite at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Read the original article on People
