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The close friendship between President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino could become a working relationship.
Trump would like Infantino to be the next secretary general of the United Nations, according to the New York Post.
Trump is convinced that Infantino is “respected by everyone in the world,” and after the first-ever FIFA World Cup in three different countries, the 45th and 47th presidents of the United States believe the world “recognizes that he has a special ability to bring people together,” a source told the Post.
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President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino hold the FIFA World Cup winner’s trophy before presenting it to Spain captain Rodri during the awards ceremony following the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, July 19, 2026. (Getty Images)
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from PK Press Club Digital on the matter.
Infantino, the Swiss-born leader of soccer’s biggest governing body, grew closer to Trump over the World Cup’s hosting. Trump has been involved in many different aspects, including Infantino awarding him the first FIFA Peace Prize in December.
Trump was also seen presenting the Club World Cup trophy last year at MetLife Stadium, and he was on hand to present Spain’s Rodrì with the World Cup trophy on Sunday afternoon at the same venue after Spain beat Argentina 1-0 to win the tournament.
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During the match, Trump was seated between First Lady Melania Trump and Infantino, while the World Cup trophy was spotted in his suite for viewing before handing it out on the field.
The next UN Secretary-General will be elected later this year and that person will take office on January 1, 2027. Portugal’s António Guterres will resign in December.
It remains to be seen whether Infantino will be considered for the role. It must first be approved by all 15 members of the Security Council before receiving confirmation from the General Assembly. The five permanent members of the Security Council each have a right of veto.
Infantino must also want the job himself, and it’s unclear if that’s the case here. FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment from PK Press Club Digital.
U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) President Gianni Infantino talk in the Oval Office of the White House after signing an executive order for a FIFA World Cup-related task force, in Washington, DC, March 7, 2025. (Jim WATSON/AFP)
If Infantino wants to run for secretary general, The Post has learned that Trump believes he would run against seven “lame” candidates, including Chile’s former socialist president, Michelle Bachelet.
Argentina’s Rafael Grossi could also be a candidate for the role, although the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency could face resistance from the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands – a highly contentious situation between the two countries which has found its way to the World Cup.
Paolo Zampolli, who is Trump’s special envoy for global partnerships, told the Post Infantino “will do a great job,” saying he is “liked by everyone.”
Zampolli is said to have already had dealings with FIFA, when the Italian-American businessman and diplomat proposed to Infantino that Iran be replaced by Italy for the World Cup, in a bid to repair relations between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Zampolli was also a former ambassador to the UN for Dominica.
“At the UN, you have to deal with 193 member states. At FIFA, there are more than 200 members. [and] Gianni’s excellent record shows he knows how to manage,” he told the Post.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney attend the awards ceremony after the 2026 FIFA World Cup final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on July 19, 2026. Spain defeated Argentina with a goal by Ferran Torres at the 106th minute of extra time. (Getty Images)
Infantino, however, was criticized by some soccer organizations around the world after Folarin Balogun’s red card for the U.S. team at the World Cup was overturned before their round of 16 match against Belgium. Trump confirmed he had called Infantino for a review of the controversial red card, which would have caused Balogun, the team’s top scorer at the time, to miss the game-winner or go home.
Infantino will face his own election next year, as it will be March 2027 when the FIFA Congress will decide whether he will run for a fourth term.
Meanwhile, Trump has not been shy about expressing his views on the UN since returning to power, reducing US contributions to the organization, while withdrawing from the World Health Organization (WHO), UNESCO and the UN Human Rights Council.
President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino hold the FIFA World Cup Winners’ Trophy before presenting it to Spain captain Rodri during the awards ceremony following the 2026 FIFA World Cup final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Getty Images)
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If Infantino does not want a UN post and is re-elected president by the FIFA Congress, he will organize another tournament in 2027. The FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will take place in Brazil, will take place before an even bigger FIFA World Cup in 2030.
To honor the 100th anniversary of the tournament, matches will begin in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay before the majority of them are played in Spain, Morocco and Portugal. Just like this year’s World Cup, history will be made as no tournament has ever been played in six different countries and three different continents.
