Trump wants FIFA president Gianni Infantino as UN secretary-general: report

The close friendship between President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino could be a working relationship.

It is reported that Trump wants Infantino to be the next secretary-general of the United Nations, according to the New York Post.

Trump believes Infantino is “respected by everyone around the world,” and following the first-ever FIFA World Cup in three different countries, the 45th and 47th US president believes the world is “recognizing that he has a special ability to bring people together,” a source told The Post.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH ONE OF THE GAMES ON FOXNEWS.COM

The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on the matter.

Infantino, the Swiss-born leader of soccer’s biggest board, became close to Trump while organizing the World Cup. Trump has been featured in many different features, including Infantino presenting him with the first FIFA Peace Prize in December.

Trump was also seen handing out the Club World Cup trophy last year at MetLife Stadium, and was on hand to present Spain’s Rodrì with the World Cup trophy on Sunday afternoon at the same stadium after Spain beat Argentina 1-0 to win the tournament.

FOX WORLD CUP BROADCAST SAYS TRUMP’S ONLINE APPEARANCE IS ‘FUN, REAL’ DESPITE POTENTIAL PAIN

During the match, Trump was seated between First Lady Melania Trump and Infantino, and the World Cup trophy was seen in his seat for viewing before taking it off the field.

The next UN secretary-general will be chosen later this year, and that person will take office on Jan. 1, 2027. António Guterres of Portugal will be stepping down in December.

Whether Infantino will be considered for the role remains to be seen. They must first be approved by all 15 members of the Security Council before they can receive confirmation from the General Assembly. The five permanent members of the Security Council each have veto power.

Infantino must also claim the post himself, and it is unclear whether that is the case here. FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

US President Donald Trump and the president of FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) Gianni Infantino speak in the Oval Office of the White House after signing an executive order related to the FIFA World Cup, in Washington, DC, on March 7, 2025. (Jim WATSON / AFP)

If Infantino wants to run for secretary general, The Post has learned that Trump believes he will be running against seven “disabled” people, including Chile’s former Socialist president, Michelle Bachelet.

Argentina’s Rafael Grossi could also be a contender for the role, although the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency could face the United Kingdom against the Falkland Islands – a tense situation between the two countries going into the World Cup.

Paolo Zampolli, who serves as Trump’s special envoy for international relations, told The Post that Infantino “will do a great job,” believing he is “liked by everybody.”

Zampolli has reportedly clashed with FIFA in the past, as the Italian-American businessman and diplomat pitched to Infantino to replace Italy in the World Cup with Iran in an attempt to mend relations between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni. Zampolli was also the UN ambassador to Dominica.

“In the United Nations you have to deal with 193 member countries. In FIFA there are more than 200 members. [and] Gianni’s good record shows that he can manage,” he told The Post.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney attend the awards ceremony after the 2026 FIFA World Cup final match between Spain and Argentina at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, on July 19, 2026. Spain defeated Argentina with a goal from Feran in the 106th minute of extra time from Feran 106th Torres. (Getty Images)

Infantino, however, received criticism from some international football organizations after Folarin Balogun’s red card was overturned in the USA World Cup squad ahead of their Round of 16 match against Belgium. Trump confirmed that he called Infantino to review the controversial red card, which would have resulted in Balogun, the team’s top scorer at the time, missing the game or going home.

Infantino faces his election next year, as March 2027 will be when the FIFA Congress decides whether he will run for a fourth term.

Meanwhile, Trump has not held back his views on the UN since returning to office, cutting off American contributions to the organization, while withdrawing from the World Health Organization (WHO), UNESCO and the UN Human Rights Council.

President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino hold the FIFA World Cup Winner’s Medal before presenting it to Spain captain Rodri at an awards ceremony following the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026, in East Rutherford, NJ. (Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM

If Infantino does not seek this position with the UN, and is re-elected by the FIFA Congress to continue as president, he will be organizing another tournament in 2027. The FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will be held in Brazil, takes place ahead of the even bigger FIFA World Cup in 2030.

To honor the 100th anniversary of the tournament, matches will begin in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay before most of them will be played in Spain, Morocco and Portugal. Similar to this year’s World Cup, history will be made since no competition has ever been played in six countries and three different continents.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and register at the Fox News Sports Huddle.