Trump pays Infantino back his VIP treatment by nominating him as UN secretary

Donald Trump has proposed Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, for the position of United Nations Secretary-General, according to reports citing close associates of the U.S. president. The suggestion comes amid a broader effort by Trump to strengthen his influence within international organizations, particularly after he withdrew funding from the UN and distanced himself from several UN agencies during his second term in office. The proposal was revealed by The New York Post, which cited unnamed sources close to Trump. According to these sources, Trump believes Infantino is respected globally and possesses a unique ability to unite people. However, it remains unclear whether Infantino is interested in the role or how extensively Trump has discussed the possibility with him. A diplomatic envoy of Trump, Paolo Zampolli, who is also a personal friend of Infantino, praised the Swiss official’s potential for success, noting that his experience managing over 200 FIFA member nations could translate well to handling the complex relationships among the 193 UN member states. The process of selecting the next UN Secretary-General involves nominations from member states, followed by informal consultations and voting by the UN Security Council’s 15 members. The five permanent members, China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, hold veto power, meaning their approval is essential for any candidate to proceed. Given this structure, Infantino would need broad support, especially from the U.S., to secure the position. The current UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, will complete his second term by December 31, so the vote is expected to take place this year. Infantino, however, has already announced his candidacy for re-election as FIFA president, with the selection process beginning in March 2026. He has not responded to inquiries from The New York Post regarding Trump’s interest in appointing him to the UN role. Meanwhile, his relationship with Trump has been marked by high-profile interactions, including granting him VIP treatment during the recent World Cup in North America. This included awarding an invented peace prize while Trump ordered the bombing of Caribbean fishermen, raising questions about Infantino’s impartiality. Further controversies have surrounded Infantino’s tenure, including his apparent tolerance of actions taken by the Trump administration that contravene international norms. These include blocking the entry of players from Iraq and Iran, preventing Iranian fans from attending matches in the U.S., and refusing visas to a Somali referee selected by FIFA. Such decisions have sparked criticism from European football authorities, with UEFA reportedly considering disciplinary action against Infantino for crossing a “red line” by intervening in match outcomes. Trump’s push to align with Infantino appears aimed at improving relations with the UN, which he has increasingly criticized since returning to the White House last year. His administration has reduced financial contributions to the organization and withdrawn from institutions such as UNESCO and the World Health Organization. In response, Trump established a separate “Peace Council” to address global conflicts, including the Israeli-Palestinian dispute. The situation highlights the growing tensions between the U.S. and international bodies, with Trump seeking to reshape alliances through personal connections. While Infantino’s nomination remains speculative, it underscores the extent to which political leaders can leverage personal ties to influence global governance structures. Whether such efforts succeed will depend on the willingness of key stakeholders, including the UN Security Council, to endorse a candidate linked to a controversial administration.