United States President Donald Trump is reportedly backing FIFA President Gianni Infantino to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, a move that would represent one of the most unexpected political endorsements ahead of the UN leadership race.
Trump believes Infantino possesses the leadership qualities needed to lead the global body after the tenure of current Secretary-General António Guterres comes to an end in December.
Infantino, a former UEFA Secretary General, has led FIFA since February 2016 after succeeding Sepp Blatter, whose presidency ended amid a corruption scandal that engulfed football’s world governing body in 2015.
Blatter resigned following intense pressure after several FIFA officials were arrested in a major corruption investigation, and Infantino was elected during a FIFA Extraordinary Congress with a mandate to restore confidence and reform the organisation.
Since taking charge, the Swiss-Italian administrator has overseen a period of significant expansion at FIFA, including the growth of the Club World Cup and the expansion of the FIFA World Cup. His leadership has also strengthened FIFA’s political influence globally, with Infantino building relationships with leaders across different regions.
A source close to the US president has revealed that Trump considers the FIFA chief uniquely qualified for the role because of his ability to bring people together across cultures and nations. “The Donald believes Infantino is respected by everyone around the world and recognizes that he has a special ability to unite people,” the source was quoted as saying.
The report suggests the relationship between Trump and Infantino strengthened significantly during the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the pair frequently appearing together throughout the tournament.
Although there has been no indication that Infantino is actively pursuing the position, Trump’s reported support has already sparked discussion over whether the Swiss administrator could emerge as a serious contender for one of the world’s most influential diplomatic offices.
Infantino Faces Complex UN Selection Process
Replacing Guterres will require navigating a rigorous selection process. The next Secretary-General must first secure the backing of the 15-member UN Security Council, where any of the five permanent members can exercise veto power, before receiving approval from the General Assembly.
The race is expected to feature several prominent international figures, including former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi of Argentina. However, reports suggest some insiders believe the current field lacks a dominant candidate, potentially creating an opening for an unconventional figure such as Infantino.
Trump’s backing would also challenge the informal regional rotation that has fuelled expectations that the next Secretary-General should come from Latin America or the Caribbean, a region that has not held the office since Peru’s Javier Pérez de Cuéllar served between 1982 and 1991.
While geographical considerations often influence UN leadership decisions, they are not binding, meaning Infantino could still become a possibility if he receives sufficient support from member states.
Trump Ally Praises FIFA President’s Leadership
Paolo Zampolli, Trump’s Special Envoy for Global Partnerships and a longtime friend of Infantino, strongly endorsed the idea, arguing that the FIFA president’s experience managing world football makes him suited for the UN’s top position. “Only President Trump could have such a brilliant idea,” Zampolli said. “He would do a great job and is loved by everyone.”
Drawing comparisons between FIFA and the United Nations, Zampolli added: “At the United Nations, you have to deal with 193 member states. FIFA has over 200 members, and Gianni’s excellent record shows he knows how to manage a team.”
The argument highlights a growing belief among some political figures that sports leadership can translate into international diplomacy. FIFA’s global reach, with more than 200 member associations, does provide Infantino with experience managing a highly diverse international network.
However, critics could argue that leading a sporting organisation and managing complex geopolitical disputes at the United Nations require very different skills. The UN Secretary-General must navigate wars, humanitarian crises, sanctions, peace negotiations and competing national interests, areas where football administration offers limited preparation.
The proposal comes amid a strained relationship between Trump’s administration and the United Nations. Since returning to office in 2024, the US president has reduced American financial contributions to the organisation and withdrawn from several UN-affiliated agencies, while criticising what he considers the UN’s failure to resolve major global conflicts.
Should Infantino eventually receive formal backing, his candidacy could represent an attempt to bridge sport and diplomacy while reshaping Washington’s relationship with the UN. At the same time, his limited background in traditional international politics is likely to be a major point of debate among member states.
Another notable consideration is financial. Infantino earns in the millions annually as FIFA president, while the UN Secretary-General’s compensation is significantly lower in the thousands. Despite the financial difference, the opportunity to lead the world’s most important diplomatic institution would represent a defining moment in his career.
For now, neither Infantino nor FIFA has publicly confirmed interest in the proposal. Whether Trump’s endorsement develops into a formal campaign remains uncertain, but the suggestion alone has introduced a surprising twist to the search for Guterres’ successor.
If pursued, it would test whether the influence and negotiation skills developed in global football can successfully transition to the highest level of international diplomacy.
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