Trump’s Friendship with Infantino May Lead to UN Nomination
There seems to be a budding alliance between President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, possibly paving the way for a future partnership.
Reports suggest Trump is interested in nominating Infantino for the position of Secretary General of the United Nations. He believes Infantino is “respected by people all over the world” and that his ability to unite people was evident during the first-ever FIFA World Cup hosted by three countries.
The White House hasn’t commented on this matter so far.
Infantino, who leads the global governing body of soccer, and Trump have developed a close friendship during the World Cup preparations. Trump was awarded FIFA’s inaugural Peace Prize last December, marking a significant moment in their relationship.
Recently, Trump was seen presenting the Club World Cup trophy and also handed Spain’s Rodri the World Cup trophy after Spain’s victory over Argentina.
While Trump was seated at the finals between Melania Trump and Infantino, he had the World Cup trophy in his suite before ceremoniously presenting it on the pitch.
As for the future, a new UN Secretary-General will be chosen later this year, set to take office on January 1, 2027. Current Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will be stepping down next December. However, Infantino’s candidacy would require support from all 15 members of the Security Council and subsequent approval from the General Assembly—a complex process, to say the least.
Infantino has expressed interest in the position, though it’s uncertain if he will pursue it. FIFA hasn’t responded to inquiries regarding this potential trajectory.
Trump reportedly thinks Infantino could outperform several “lackluster” candidates, one being Chile’s former president, Michelle Bachelet. Also in the mix is Rafael Grossi from Argentina, who might face challenges due to the ongoing dispute over the Falkland Islands.
Paolo Zampolli, a key figure in Trump’s administration, has stated that Infantino is “well-liked” and would excel in the role if chosen. Zampolli, who is also a former Dominican ambassador, commented on Infantino’s capability to manage, reflecting on the challenges he faces with FIFA’s expansive membership.
However, Infantino has faced criticism recently, particularly surrounding a controversial red card affecting American player Folarin Balogun before a crucial match against Belgium. Trump admitted to contacting Infantino to discuss the situation.
Looking further ahead, Infantino will also have his own election next year, deciding whether to seek a fourth term within FIFA—a much-anticipated moment for both fans and critics alike.
On a broader note, Trump hasn’t changed his stance on the UN since returning to office, cutting US contributions and withdrawing from several organizations tied to the United Nations.
If he doesn’t pursue the UN role and remains FIFA President, Infantino will oversee more tournaments, including the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil and the momentous 2030 World Cup, celebrating a century of the event. This latter tournament will uniquely span six countries and three continents, marking an unprecedented milestone in World Cup history.
