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According to White House sources, Trump sees a good opportunity for him to replace Antonio Guterres, whose term ends this year, because the known candidates are "mediocre".
The past weeks, marked by controversies, political maneuvering, and constant backstage dealings during the World Cup, have sparked all kinds of rumors and speculations. Many of them have featured FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who has become one of the main allies and admirers of Donald Trump. Most of these rumors were related to his power within the organization, seeking re-election, or pressures to withdraw red cards or to decide where the 2030 final will be held, for example. However, this Tuesday, The New York Post surprised everyone with an unexpected twist.
According to the American newspaper, Trump wants Infantino in a high-level position in the coming years. But not in the world of sports, but... at the helm of the United Nations. The current Secretary-General, António Guterres, will leave office on December 31, at the end of his second five-year term and cannot opt for a third term. His successor will assume the position on January 1, 2027. And the Swiss could be Trump's choice to prevent a Latin American, an African, or a left-wing politician from getting the position.
"Trump believes that Infantino is respected by everyone in the world and recognizes that he has a special ability to unite people," a source close to the president told the newspaper. "It is not clear if Infantino wants the position or to what extent Trump has discussed the matter with him. But Trump sees a clear opportunity among a group of seven candidates who, according to an internal source, are 'mediocre,'" the Post continues.
Up to now, the official candidates, those "mediocre" ones, are former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, who is familiar with the organization as she was the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Argentine Rafael Grossi, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Former Vice President of Costa Rica, Rebeca Grynspan, and former Vice President of Senegal, Macky Sall. However, the process is still open, and new candidacies may emerge until the Security Council reaches a consensus. According to the statutes, the Secretary-General is recommended by the Security Council, where any of the five permanent members can veto a candidate, and subsequently ratified by the General Assembly.
Infantino's move seems unbelievable. He came to FIFA from the European football administration, as a lawyer and then manager at UEFA until becoming its number 2. Not from politics, although what he does every day is pure politics. It is no secret that Trump, who has welcomed him to the White House on numerous occasions in this and the previous term, adores him. He always praises his management, his character, and has been delighted by the Swiss's constant efforts to shower him with praise and gifts. And by the outcome of the World Cup in terms of audience, attendance, and revenue.
"Only President Trump could have had such a brilliant idea," Paolo Zampolli, the Italian-American businessman and diplomat who serves as Trump's special envoy for global alliances, told the newspaper. Zampolli stated that Infantino "would do an excellent job" and that "he is appreciated by all," describing him as "someone who could bring new energy to the huge bureaucracy and use sports to build bridges and inspire the young and poor populations of the world. There are certain similarities" between the positions of FIFA President and UN Secretary-General, explains the businessman, a personal friend of Infantino and former ambassador to the UN from the small island nation of Dominica. "At the United Nations, you have to deal with 193 member states. In FIFA, there are over 200 members, and Gianni's excellent track record shows that he knows how to manage." Zampolli coincided with Infantino at last weekend's World Cup final in New Jersey but stated that they did not discuss the matter.
Trump's relationship with the UN, headquartered in New York, is unique. In this term, he has drastically cut U.S. contributions, the main donor and contributor, leading to program closures and many layoffs. Similarly, he has criticized the organization for its slowness, bureaucracy, and for its support of Palestine last year. He even denounced in his 2025 speech that someone had intentionally stopped an escalator as he was heading to the main podium.
But at the same time, in his speeches, he insists that the UN makes sense, that it could do great things... with the right management. And he always takes the opportunity to remind that years ago he made a proposal for the renovation of the headquarters that was ignored by the organization.
Infantino, who has shown interest in re-election as FIFA President, currently earns 10 times more than he would at the UN if Trump manages to convince at least 15 Security Council members and the rest of the permanent members not to veto. In May, he was before the General Assembly, posing with its president, the former German Foreign Minister.
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