US President Donald Trump is reportedly pushing for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, according to a New York Post report citing sources close to the president.
Trump, 80, believes Infantino “is respected by everyone around the world” and has a “special ability to bring people together,” the source said. Italian-American diplomat Paolo Zampolli, Trump’s special envoy for global partnerships, backed the idea, calling it “genius” and noting similarities between managing FIFA’s 200-plus members and the UN’s 193 member states.
Infantino, 56, has faced widespread criticism since taking over FIFA in 2016, including over corruption scandals and human rights concerns. However, he has cultivated a close relationship with Trump, awarding him FIFA’s inaugural peace prize in 2024 and intervening to overturn a red card for US striker Folarin Balogun during the 2026 World Cup.
Current UN Secretary-General António Guterres steps down at year’s end after two terms. Any candidate must be nominated by a state, endorsed by the Security Council without a veto, and confirmed by the General Assembly. The White House and FIFA have not commented.
Article source: thepoint.gm | Image credit: People.com
