Trump supports FIFA president for UN Secretary-General post - Sarmad

U.S. President Donald Trump wants FIFA President Gianni Infantino to succeed António Guterres as the next UN Secretary-General, whose term ends at the end of December.

Trump believes Infantino enjoys widespread international respect and has the ability to bring different parties together, following a noticeable rapprochement between the two during the organization of this year’s World Cup. The FIFA president made sure to involve Trump in several events and awarded him the inaugural Peace Prize in December, according to the New York Post.

It remains unclear whether Infantino wishes to enter the race or if he has discussed the matter with Trump. However, sources close to the U.S. president said that Trump views the current competition as featuring candidates who lack a strong presence.

Electing the new Secretary-General first requires the support of the 15-member UN Security Council, including its five permanent members with veto power, before a final vote in the UN General Assembly.

The newspaper points out that among the prominent names under consideration are former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and Rafael Grossi, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). However, both could face political obstacles during the selection process.

It added that the idea of nominating Infantino might break traditional expectations of selecting a Secretary-General from Latin America or the Caribbean region, but clarified that the informal principle of geographical rotation does not theoretically prevent his candidacy.

Over the past period, Infantino has repeatedly appeared alongside Trump, whether at the White House or during World Cup events, in scenes reflecting a clear rapprochement between the two sides.

These reports come as Trump continues to criticize the UN’s performance, claiming it has failed to handle several international conflicts. His administration has also reduced U.S. contributions to the organization and withdrawn from several bodies, including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNESCO, and the Human Rights Council.

The newspaper believes that Infantino’s appointment could help improve relations between Washington and the UN, provided he receives the necessary support to win.