Trump’s Aspirations for FIFA President as UN Secretary-General

After the recent successful World Cup held in North America, President Trump is expressing a desire for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to step into the role of Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Leading up to this World Cup, Trump and Infantino developed a deeper bond while collaborating to create what’s projected to be the most-watched and widely attended tournament in its history.

The two have formed a close relationship, highlighted by Infantino presenting Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize in December.

Sources indicate that Trump views Infantino as a strong candidate for the U.N. position, noting his global respect and exceptional talent for uniting people.

The current Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres from Portugal, is set to retire at the end of December.

Infantino’s first challenge would be to gain the endorsement of the 15-member Security Council, a daunting task as the five permanent members hold veto power. Should he receive their approval, his nomination would then proceed to the General Assembly.

Swiss-born Infantino has not shown any signs of pursuing the position himself yet.

Prominent contenders for the role include former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, who may encounter opposition from the U.S., and Argentina’s Rafael Grossi, the current director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, who could face British trepidation over the disputed Falkland Islands.

Trump’s proposal could disrupt expectations for candidates from Latin America and the Caribbean, a region last represented by Javier Pérez de Cuellar from Peru, who served from 1982 to 1991.

Infantino himself remarked that being European rather than hailing from Latin America or the Caribbean wouldn’t hinder his chances.

Paolo Zampoli, the U.S. Special Representative for Global Partnerships, pointed out parallels between the roles of FIFA president and UN Secretary-General. He mentioned that the U.N. deals with 193 member states, while FIFA oversees over 200, and noted that Infantino’s impressive track record demonstrates his management abilities.

If Infantino decides to accept the role, he’d need to adapt to a different financial landscape. Recent figures show that the UN Secretary-General earns a salary of $418,000 annually, a stark contrast to Infantino’s current FIFA salary of $6 million per year.