Not a Diplomat, Trump Backs This Unexpected Figure for UN Secretary-General
United States President Donald Trump is reportedly keen for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations. The New York Post reported that Trump believes Infantino has the ability to unite various parties at the global level. A source close to Trump said the US president is convinced Infantino is a figure respected in many countries. “He is respected by everyone all over the world” and has a “special ability to bring people together,” the source said. However, it is not yet known whether the Swiss-born official is aware of this.
The closeness between Trump and Infantino has reportedly grown stronger recently. Last December, Infantino even awarded Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Award after the US president repeatedly stated he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end various international conflicts. Their relationship came under the spotlight again during the FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Ahead of the round of 16, FIFA surprisingly cancelled a one-match ban on US striker Folarin Balogun. Trump later revealed he had contacted Infantino directly to have Balogun’s punishment reviewed, arguing the sanction was unfair. UEFA condemned the decision, calling it an unprecedented political interference in football, though Infantino denied any involvement in the decision regarding the American player. The US was eventually knocked out after losing 1-4 to Belgium.
The election of the new UN Secretary-General is scheduled for the end of this year, coinciding with the end of Antonio Guterres’ term in December. The successful candidate must first secure approval from the 15-member UN Security Council before being endorsed by the General Assembly. Throughout the UN’s history, all Secretaries-General have come from political or diplomatic backgrounds. If nominated, Infantino would be the first figure with a primary background as head of a global sports organisation to have a chance at holding the post. This is not the first time Trump has tapped a figure from outside the political world for a key position. During his second term, he appointed WWE co-founder and former CEO Linda McMahon as US Secretary of Education, continuing his pattern of recruiting figures from the worlds of sports and entertainment into government.