22.07.2026 01:30
US President Donald Trump, who has harshly criticized the United Nations for years, reportedly considers a surprising name for the organization's top position. According to a New York Post report, Trump wants FIFA President Gianni Infantino to be appointed as the UN Secretary-General.
US President Donald Trump reportedly wants FIFA President Gianni Infantino to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN). According to the New York Post, Trump believes that Infantino's management experience at FIFA and his international influence make him a strong candidate to replace António Guterres, whose term ends at the end of the year.
REASON: GLOBAL REPUTATION AND MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE
According to the news, Trump emphasizes Infantino's ability to bring different countries together and his global prestige, with whom he developed a close relationship during the 2026 FIFA World Cup process. It was stated that the US President believes that Infantino's leadership experience at FIFA would provide a significant advantage in managing an international organization like the UN.
CRITICIZED THE UN HARSHLY IN THE PAST
Trump's past statements and actions regarding the UN are noteworthy. In 2016, Trump described the United Nations as "a club where people talk, have a good time, but nothing gets solved, despite having great potential."
During his first term, the Trump administration decided to withdraw the US from the UN Human Rights Council, left UNESCO, and cut funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The Washington administration defended these steps on the grounds that these institutions did not serve US interests.
In his second term, Trump signed an executive order calling for a review of relations with many UN-affiliated organizations, arguing that some UN bodies act against US interests, are inefficient, and waste American taxpayers' money. Therefore, the claim that Trump, who frequently criticized the UN in the past, now supports FIFA President Gianni Infantino for the UN Secretary-General position has drawn attention in the international community.
SELECTION PROCESS CONTINUES
The process for selecting a new Secretary-General at the United Nations is currently ongoing. Current Secretary-General António Guterres' term ends on December 31, 2026. As of July, the UN Security Council has begun evaluating candidates in closed sessions and conducting informal votes. The process is expected to be finalized between August and October, with the name recommended by the Security Council officially appointed by the UN General Assembly by the end of the year. The new Secretary-General will take office on January 1, 2027.
CANDIDACY PROCESS IS NOT EASY
To become the UN Secretary-General, support from just one country is not enough. The candidate must first receive approval from the UN Security Council and then be officially appointed by the UN General Assembly. The veto power of the five permanent members of the Security Council—the US, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and France—also plays a decisive role in the election process.
NO RESPONSE FROM INFANTINO
According to the New York Post, Gianni Infantino has not yet made any public statement regarding the UN Secretary-General claim. The FIFA President had previously announced that he would run for re-election as FIFA President. The news reported that Trump's idea was also considered a surprise in Washington circles.