Trump pushing FIFA President Infantino into top UN job: 'He has a special ability to pull people together'

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FT Desk

United States President Donald Trump is reportedly campaigning for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to become the secretary-general of the United Nations.

Ever since the US was confirmed as co-hosts for the 2026 World Cup, Infantino and Trump have grown closer and closer to the point where it was making people uncomfortable, as FIFA is meant to remain a politically neutral organisation.

At the World Cup draw in December, Infantino presented Trump with FIFA's inaugural 'Peace Prize'.

Thereafter, the US President would instigate military operations abroad in Mexico, Venezuela and Iran, among other locations.

Towards the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup in North America, Infantino lavished praise on Trump for the success of the tournament.

"This has not just been and is not just the greatest World Cup of all time, it is the greatest human, social and cultural event that mankind has ever witnessed and seen," The FIFA President said, looking towards Trump standing beside him.

"And we are all part of it. And for this, I thank you very much, Mr President. Thanks for having us here. There is one more game to go. Well, two more games, the bronze medal tomorrow, and between England and France, of course, and the great final between Argentina and Spain.

"One country will be the world champion, but the world has already won. America has won. FIFA has won. And uniting the world in such a way as we did this summer... giving unforgettable experiences and memories to millions, to billions, of people all over the world is something that we will take with us and cherish forever.

"Thank you, Mr President."

Trump thinks the FIFA President “is respected by everyone around the world, and recognizes he has a special ability to bring people together,” a source close to the president told The New York Post.

The next secretary-general of the United Nations will be elected this year to replace Antonio Guterres of Portugal, who is retiring at the end of December.

In order to be eligible for secretary-general, Infantino would need to be endorsed by 15 members of the Security Council.

The Post reports that Trump views the other potential candidates for the job as "lame".

Among the leading candidates are Michelle Bachelet, Chile's former socialist president, whose bid could encounter opposition from the United States, and Rafael Grossi of Argentina, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, whose candidacy may raise concerns in the UK because of Argentina's claim to the Falkland Islands.

Paolo Zampolli, Trump’s special envoy for global partnerships, told The Post that “only President Trump could have such a genius idea.”

He said Infantino “would do a great job” and is “liked by everybody”.

The Italian-American businessman added: “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.”

Trump's relationship with the United Nations has become increasingly strained, reflecting his broader "America First" foreign policy.

He has argued that the UN is inefficient, overly bureaucratic and often fails to represent US interests. He maintains that American support should depend on whether the UN advances US priorities, such as the 2026 war with Iran.

During his first presidency (2017–2021), his administration reduced funding for several UN agencies, withdrew from the UN Human Rights Council and UNESCO, and announced plans to leave the World Health Organisation, citing concerns over its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and its relationship with China.

Trump's campaign for Infantino would likely improve the relationship between the US and the UN.

Should Infantino take the job, however, he'll leave around $5.5m in wages on the table.