Key facts
- US President Donald Trump is reportedly considering FIFA President Gianni Infantino for the role of UN Secretary General.
- The report cites a source close to the president who believes Infantino is a respected potential candidate.
- The current UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, finishes his second term on December 31.
- Trump and Infantino have cultivated a close relationship, notably during the 2026 World Cup.
- FIFA's decision to suspend a ban on player Folarin Balogun following a call from Trump to Infantino drew criticism.
- Infantino defended FIFA's independent judicial processes and confirmed discussions with Trump.
US President Donald Trump is reportedly considering FIFA President Gianni Infantino as a potential candidate to become the next UN Secretary-General, according to a report by The New York Post citing a source close to the president. The report suggests Trump sees Infantino as a "respected" figure who could challenge for the role as the process to replace current Secretary-General António Guterres, whose term concludes on December 31, is underway.
Trump and Infantino have developed a close relationship, which has become more public since Trump's return to the White House in January 2025 and was particularly visible during the 2026 World Cup. A notable moment of their association involved FIFA's decision to suspend a one-match ban for US player Folarin Balogun after Trump reportedly called Infantino to review the incident. This decision drew significant criticism from the footballing world and beyond, with some European Parliament members calling for an investigation into Infantino and a human rights organization filing a complaint alleging breaches of political neutrality.
Infantino has defended FIFA's independent judicial bodies and confirmed that he regularly discusses World Cup matters with Trump, including the Balogun incident. He stated that the case was decided by competent bodies according to FIFA's system. Earlier this year, Infantino awarded Trump FIFA's inaugural Peace Prize.