Trump plans to nominate FIFA chief Infantino as UN Secretary General

US President Donald Trump intends to nominate FIFA President Gianni Infantino as the next United Nations Secretary General, according to a report by the Washington Post citing a source close to Trump.

The report, carried by Anadolu Agency, said that Trump believes Infantino "is respected by everyone around the world, and recognizes he has a special ability to bring people together." Infantino, 56, developed close ties with Trump during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, with the Swiss-born FIFA president making repeated efforts to court the US leader, including presenting him with FIFA's inaugural Peace Prize in December 2022.

A successor to current UN chief Antonio Guterres will serve a five-year term beginning January 1, 2027. Under Article 97 of the UN Charter, the Secretary General is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council. To obtain the post, Infantino would first need the backing of the 15-member Security Council, where any of the five permanent members can exercise a veto, before winning approval from the General Assembly.

Trump has repeatedly criticized what he sees as the UN's failure to play a more active role in resolving major global conflicts. Last year, he established a US-led Board of Peace, prompting speculation that he was creating an alternative to the UN as his administration pursued peace agreements. Trump denied those claims. Since returning to the White House last year, Trump has sharply reduced US funding for the UN and withdrawn the US from several UN-affiliated organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to Mehr News Agency, the report highlights Trump's unconventional approach to international diplomacy and his preference for business and sports figures in key global roles.