Ouagadougou: US President Donald Trump has expressed his desire for Gianni Infantino, the president of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), to succeed as the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, as reported by an American media outlet.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Gianni Infantino has developed a closer relationship with President Trump, particularly in light of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The media outlet highlighted that Infantino has made significant efforts to gain President Trump's approval, notably by awarding him the International Federation of Football's Peace Prize last December.

A source cited by the media outlet claimed that President Trump believes Infantino "enjoys universal respect and possesses an exceptional ability to bring people together." Despite these sentiments, there is no confirmation that President Trump has discussed this prospect with Infantino or that Infantino is considering a bid for the UN Secretary-General position.

The current mandate of the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, will conclude on December 31, 2026.