US President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently visited a stadium where Spain won the 2026 World Cup title. According to The New York Post, their relationship may have broader implications, as Trump intends to support Infantino in his bid to replace Antonio Guterres as Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN).
According to the American publication, citing unnamed sources, Trump views Infantino, who is 56 years old, as a figure of international respect who possesses the ability to unite various sectors. This assessment is part of the close ties that developed between them during the organization of the 2026 World Cup.
However, despite his 'special ability to unite people,' as sources explained, Infantino's path to leading the organization is not easy.
To be elected Secretary-General, support from the UN Security Council is required, which consists of 15 members, including five permanent members with veto power: the US, China, Russia, France, and the UK. This is followed by approval from the General Assembly. This means that closed sessions are held before a decision is made, and any of the five permanent members can reject the candidates.
After a name is chosen, the next step is to present it for a vote in the UN General Assembly, which can vote against the recommended candidate, although Euronews notes that this has never happened. To participate in the race, a candidate must be nominated by one of the organization's member states.
Antonio Guterres will leave the post of UN chief at the end of December after ten years in office, and the new leader will take office on January 1, 2027. Candidates are currently being considered, and the process began on Thursday with the first debates featuring six candidates. The debates will last 1.5 hours and start at 5:00 PM New York time (10:00 PM Continental Portugal time). The six candidates include Michel Bachelet, Maria Fernanda Santina, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Rebecca Greenspan Mayufis, Caroline Rodriguez-Birchett, and Macky Sala.
The following day, Friday, as well as July 30, the Security Council will hold consultations with '15 member states during a simulated election among the six candidates,' reports ONU News. These names will be presented to all 15 state representatives, and they will respond with one of three options: 'support,' 'do not support,' or 'no opinion.' After these consultations, the campaign will continue until October, when the Security Council must recommend a name.
The connection between Trump and Infantino strengthened during the 2026 World Cup organized by the US, Mexico, and Canada, thanks to numerous joint appearances at events related to the tournament. In December, the US President received the first FIFA World Peace Prize, awarded by the body headed by the Swiss leader.
The scandal that put FIFA and Trump on the same stage intensified this month when the football organization decided to overturn the red card shown to Folarin Balogun, allowing the US player to participate in the eighth round of the World Cup. This FIFA decision was made after Donald Trump directly called Infantino asking him to reconsider the exclusion.
This Thursday, the Norwegian Football Federation confirmed its intention to file a complaint with the FIFA Ethics Committee, demanding an investigation into the organization's president's conduct in this matter.
According to the New York Post on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump wants Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, to become the next UN Secretary-General.
According to a source close to Trump, the president believes that Infantino enjoys respect worldwide and possesses a special gift for uniting people.
Infantino, who is 56 years old, developed close relations with Trump during this year's World Cup. The Swiss FIFA president has repeatedly sought the support of the US leader, including presenting him with the first FIFA World Prize in December.
The replacement for the current UN Secretary-General António Guterres will be appointed for a five-year term starting on January 1, 2027. According to Article 97 of the UN Charter, the Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council.
To obtain this position, Infantino must first gain the support of the Security Council, which consists of 15 members, where any of the five permanent members can veto, after which approval from the General Assembly will be required.
Trump has repeatedly criticized what he believes is the UN's insufficient role in resolving major global conflicts. Last year, he established a Peace Council under US leadership, which led to speculation about its creation as an alternative to the UN, as his administration promoted peace agreements, including arrangements between Israel and the Palestinian movement Hamas. Trump denied these claims.
Since returning to the White House last year, Trump has significantly cut US funding for the UN and withdrawn US participation from several UN-affiliated organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO).
