Trump's surprising pick for UN chief: FIFA president Gianni Infantino

In a move that has sent ripples through diplomatic circles from Washington to Geneva, U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed a desire to see Gianni Infantino, the current president of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), appointed as the next United Nations Secretary-General. Sources close to the U.S. president, first reported by the New York Post, indicate Trump is convinced the 56-year-old Swiss football administrator possesses a "special ability to bring people together" and is "respected by everyone around the world."

This initiative emerges as the search for a successor to António Guterres, the Portuguese diplomat whose term as Secretary-General concludes at the end of December, intensifies. Guterres's successor is slated to begin a five-year term on January 1, 2027. Trump apparently believes Infantino, the man at the helm of the world's most popular sport, is the ideal candidate to lead the world's most important political organization.

“

special ability to bring people together

The idea of appointing someone from outside traditional diplomatic circles to such a significant UN role is not unprecedented, but this particular instance is highly unexpected and directly linked to the personal relationship Trump and Infantino have cultivated in recent years. Their friendship and alliance were solidified during the organization of the World Cup, which was partly hosted by the United States this summer. Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016, has made considerable efforts to charm and win over the U.S. president.

Their relationship dates back to 2018 when Infantino visited the White House during the U.S. bid to host the tournament. Two years later, Trump invited him to Washington again to attend the signing of the Abraham Accords, signaling his view of Infantino as a relevant actor beyond the sports world. The peak of Infantino's overtures occurred last December when, after Trump failed to win the Nobel Peace Prize, he created and presented him with FIFA's inaugural Peace Award. This gesture, along with other symbolic acts like gifting a golden trophy with Trump's name during the World Cup draw, clearly demonstrated Infantino's willingness to set aside his organization's traditional political neutrality to strengthen ties with the American leader.

“

respected by everyone around the world