Trump Proposes FIFA President Infantino for UN Secretary-General Role
Trump's Support for Infantino
According to a report from a major news outlet, President Donald Trump has expressed his desire for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to take on the role of the next secretary-general of the United Nations. Trump reportedly believes that Infantino, who is 56 years old, is "respected globally" and possesses a unique talent for uniting people. The FIFA president, originally from Switzerland, has forged a close bond with Trump during the recent FIFA World Cup, where he often included the US president in various events and awarded him FIFA's inaugural Peace Prize last December.
Prospects for Infantino's UN Candidacy
How Likely Is Gianni Infantino to Land UN's Top Job?
This year, a new UN secretary-general will be appointed to succeed António Guterres, who is set to leave office at the end of December. To be considered for the position, a candidate must first gain the support of the 15-member UN Security Council, where any of the five permanent members can veto a nomination, before being confirmed by the General Assembly. The report indicates that it remains uncertain whether Infantino is interested in this role or how extensively Trump has discussed it with him. However, Trump reportedly views this as an opportunity amidst a pool of seven candidates deemed "lame" by an insider.
Among the more prominent candidates are former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency. The report suggests that Bachelet might face opposition from the US, while Grossi could encounter issues with the UK regarding the Falkland Islands dispute. Trump's endorsement of Infantino would also diverge from the anticipated regional rotation that typically favors a candidate from Latin America or the Caribbean. Nevertheless, multiple sources have indicated that this informal rotation would not necessarily hinder Infantino's chances of receiving nominations.
Trump's Criticism of the UN
The report also highlighted Trump's criticisms of the United Nations, which he believes has failed to effectively mediate significant global conflicts. Since his return to the White House last year, he has decreased US funding for the UN and withdrawn from several UN-affiliated organizations, including the World Health Organization, UNESCO, and the UN Human Rights Council. Appointing Infantino to the UN could potentially enhance Trump's relationship with the organization.
If Infantino were to be selected, he would face a considerable reduction in salary. Currently, he earns approximately $6 million per year as FIFA president, while the UN secretary-general's reported salary is around $418,000. Infantino has already announced his candidacy for another term as FIFA president, with that election set for next March. The report noted that he did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding the UN position, and despite broad support for his re-election bid, he has faced criticism following Trump's intervention to lift US forward Folarin Balogun's one-match World Cup suspension, a decision that reportedly upset several European nations.