World Cup Success Strengthens Infantino’s Nomination for a U.N. Position
Media reports revealed yesterday, Wednesday, that U.S. President Donald Trump wants to nominate FIFA President Gianni Infantino to assume the position of the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, based on what he described as the major success achieved by the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which was hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The proposal comes as the current term of United Nations Secretary-General Portuguese António Guterres approaches its end, with him scheduled to leave office next December, amid the beginning of discussions over potential candidates to succeed him.
The American newspaper New York Post quoted an informed White House source as saying that Trump believes Infantino “is widely respected around the world” and possesses an “exceptional ability to bring different parties together and unite people,” qualities that the U.S. president considers essential for leading the international organization in the coming phase.
Infantino, a Swiss lawyer, is considered one of the most prominent figures in international sports. He has served as president of FIFA since 2016 and had previously announced his intention to run for a third term at the head of the organization. So far, he has not issued any official comment regarding reports about Trump’s desire to support him for the position of U.N. Secretary-General.
However, Infantino’s move to this position, if he decides to enter the race, would not be an easy task, as it requires first obtaining approval from the U.N. Security Council before receiving endorsement from the U.N. General Assembly, according to the established mechanism for selecting the Secretary-General.
Praise from Trump Allies and Expected Competition for the Position
In a related context, the U.S. President’s Special Envoy for Global Partnerships Paolo Zampolli praised the idea, considering that Trump’s proposal reflects a different vision for selecting a figure with experience in managing international affairs.
Zampolli told the Washington Post that the U.S. president “is the only one who could put forward an idea this bold,” considering that Infantino has the ability to perform the task with the highest level of efficiency due to his international presence and widespread popularity.
He added that the FIFA president has demonstrated during his years leading the international football governing body that he possesses significant organizational and administrative capabilities, noting that such experience could have a positive impact on managing the United Nations.
Zampolli, who previously served as a U.N. ambassador, explained that there are similarities between managing FIFA and managing the international organization, noting that the United Nations includes 193 member states, while FIFA oversees more than 200 national associations, making Infantino accustomed to managing a global multilateral institution.
Despite this support, the path to the position appears crowded with several prominent names, as expectations point to possible competition with international figures, including former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi.
The relationship between Trump and Infantino strengthened notably during preparations for hosting the 2026 World Cup and appeared clearly throughout the tournament, which lasted nearly five weeks and featured 104 matches before concluding with Spain winning the title after defeating Argentina 1–0 in the final match held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Trump participated alongside Infantino in the ceremony to present the trophy and gold medals to the Spanish national team players, in a scene reflecting the strong relationship between the two men, months after the FIFA president awarded the U.S. president the FIFA Peace Prize, a move that sparked widespread debate at the time.
Despite the tournament’s organizational success, Infantino’s management of the World Cup was not free from criticism, as he faced objections regarding the increase in the number of participating teams to 48, rising ticket prices, and other organizational issues.
The tournament also witnessed a notable incident when Trump pressured Infantino to cancel the red card received by U.S. national team striker Folarin Balogun, which would have resulted in his absence from a crucial match against Belgium in the knockout stages. The incident highlighted the nature of the close relationship between the two sides.
United News Network – UNN Arabic
An independent media platform providing reliable news and objective analysis, striving to promote peace and intercultural dialogue around the world, convey the truth, and build bridges of understanding among peoples.
For more news, please visit our homepage:
Author: Counselor Faisal Al-Mutairi.
Publication Date: July 23, 2026.
Last Updated: July 2026.
