FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks with U.S. President Donald Trump during the presentation ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, at the New York/New Jersey stadium in East Rutherford, on July 19, 2026. (Credit: Mandel NGAN/AFP)
U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly sees FIFA President Gianni Infantino as a possible successor to António Guterres as head of the United Nations. That’s according to the New York Post, which reports that the White House occupant views the Swiss/Italian sports executive as a "respected figure worldwide" with a "special ability to bring people together."
There is no indication, however, that Infantino is interested in the position. The FIFA president, who is running for reelection in a vote set for next March, has not commented on the report. When contacted by the New York Post, he did not respond to requests for comment. The paper also states it is unclear whether Trump has raised this idea with Infantino directly.
According to the newspaper, the U.S. president nevertheless believes the race to succeed Guterres leaves him with real room to maneuver, as the seven candidates currently vying for the role are, according to a source close to the matter, considered "uninspiring." Among the main contenders are former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and Argentine Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The next U.N. secretary-general will be elected this year to succeed Guterres, whose term ends in late December. To win the position, the candidate must secure the backing of the Security Council—where the five permanent members have veto power—before being confirmed by the General Assembly.
Infantino has grown significantly closer to Trump in connection with the 2026 FIFA World Cup, even presenting him with the first-ever FIFA Peace Award in December 2025. However, their closeness drew criticism during the tournament, particularly after Trump intervened on behalf of U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, who had been suspended for one match prior to the United States’ game against Belgium.
This move fits into Donald Trump’s recurring criticism of the United Nations, which he accuses of passivity in the face of major international conflicts. In 2025, he created an "American Council for Peace," sparking speculation about a rival body to the U.N. as he highlighted his mediation role in several situations, including between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. However, he insisted he did not want to replace the organization, while calling for it to play a more active role. Since returning to the White House, he has also reduced U.S. contributions to the U.N. and withdrawn the United States from several of its agencies, including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNESCO, and the Human Rights Council.
Infantino has made several visits to Lebanon, where he notably met with President Joseph Aoun, who in late 2025 granted him Lebanese citizenship; his wife, Lina al-Ashkar, is Lebanese. This move triggered significant criticism in Lebanon, where access to citizenship is governed by very strict criteria, and where women cannot legally pass their nationality on to their spouse or children. During his most recent visit, Infantino and Aoun also discussed a project for a FIFA-funded stadium, meeting international standards and accommodating 20,000 to 30,000 spectators.
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