NEW YORK (VINnews) — President Donald Trump is backing FIFA President Gianni Infantino as his preferred candidate to become the next secretary-general of the United Nations, according to a New York Post report.

The report says Trump believes Infantino, 56, has earned widespread international respect through his leadership of world soccer and possesses a unique ability to unite people across political and cultural divides. The Swiss-born FIFA chief and Trump developed a close relationship during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Infantino frequently appearing alongside the president and presenting him with FIFA’s inaugural Peace Prize in December.

Current UN Secretary-General António Guterres is set to step down at the end of the year. The next secretary-general will be chosen through a process requiring approval from the 15-member UN Security Council, where any of the five permanent members can exercise a veto, followed by confirmation by the UN General Assembly.

According to the New York Post, it remains unclear whether Infantino is interested in the position or whether Trump has personally discussed the proposal with him. However, sources cited in the report said that Trump sees an opportunity in what one insider described as a relatively weak field of candidates.

Among the better-known contenders are former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi. The report notes that Bachelet could face opposition from Washington, while Grossi may encounter resistance from the United Kingdom because of the longstanding Falkland Islands dispute with Argentina.

Although there has been an informal tradition of rotating the secretary-general position among different geographic regions, multiple sources told the New York Post that such a convention would not necessarily prevent Infantino from emerging as a consensus candidate.

Trump’s special envoy for global partnerships, Paolo Zampolli, praised the idea, telling the newspaper that “only President Trump could have such a genius idea.” Zampolli argued that Infantino’s experience leading FIFA, which has more than 200 member associations, demonstrates his ability to manage a large international organization and build bridges through sports.

The report also notes that Trump has been critical of the United Nations, accusing it of failing to play a meaningful role in resolving major international conflicts. Since returning to office, his administration has reduced U.S. funding for the UN and withdrawn from several UN-affiliated organizations, including the World Health Organization, UNESCO, and the UN Human Rights Council.

According to the New York Post, placing Infantino at the helm of the United Nations could help improve relations between the Trump administration and the international body.

The report adds that accepting the role would require a substantial financial sacrifice for Infantino. As FIFA president, he reportedly earns about $6 million annually, while the UN secretary-general’s compensation is approximately $418,000 per year.

Infantino has already announced his intention to seek another term as FIFA president when elections are held next March. He did not respond to the New York Post’s request for comment regarding the reported UN proposal.