Europe news is now tracking an unexpected diplomatic talking point: could FIFA president Gianni Infantino seriously end up leading the United Nations if Donald Trump decided to support him? The short answer is that even high-profile backing from Washington would not guarantee the job, because the UN selection process is built to prevent any single power from imposing its preferred candidate.
The idea surfaced after reports suggested the US president views Infantino as a figure capable of bringing people together. But while that narrative may appeal politically, the race to become the next UN Secretary-General is shaped by multilateral bargaining, Security Council vetoes and global diplomatic acceptability.
Europe news: How the UN Secretary-General is actually chosen
The post is formally filled by the 193-member UN General Assembly, but the decisive stage happens inside the 15-member Security Council. That includes five permanent members:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- France
- Russia
- China
Any one of those five can block a candidate. In practice, that means no nominee can advance without being acceptable to all the major powers.
Candidates must first be nominated by one or more UN member states. They then present their vision publicly and face questions from diplomats and civil society groups. After that, the Security Council holds confidential straw polls before settling on one recommended name.
So even if Trump were to put Infantino forward, he could not simply install him. He would still need broad support across the Council and avoid vetoes from rival powers.
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The current UN race is already crowded
With António Guterres leaving office at the end of the year after serving two terms, the contest is already well underway. Several experienced figures have entered the race, many with long diplomatic records.
Notable candidates in the running
- Michelle Bachelet – former president of Chile and former UN human rights chief
- Mariano Grossi – head of the International Atomic Energy Agency
- Macky Sall – former president of Senegal
- Rebeca Grynspan – senior UN trade official
- María Fernanda Espinosa – former foreign minister of Ecuador
- Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett – former foreign minister of Guyana
One earlier candidacy, that of Virginia Gamba, was withdrawn. That leaves a field dominated by people with extensive diplomatic or governmental experience, making any late outsider bid even more difficult.
Why Gianni Infantino would face major obstacles
From an irish news and international affairs perspective, Infantino’s profile is unusual for the UN’s top diplomatic role. He leads one of the world’s biggest sports organisations, but he is not a career diplomat. That alone would invite scrutiny.
There are also political hurdles. An informal tradition of geographic rotation often shapes expectations around the appointment, and with Guterres being European, another European candidate may face resistance. In addition, many governments want the next Secretary-General to be a woman for the first time.
Infantino would also likely face criticism over governance issues linked to FIFA and over human rights concerns surrounding recent World Cups. Supporters might argue that he has managed a highly global institution and expanded football’s international reach, but critics would say that is not the same as leading the UN through wars, climate disputes and geopolitical crises.
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FAQs: What this means for Europe news readers
Can the US president appoint the UN Secretary-General?
No. The US can support a nominee, but the Security Council must recommend the candidate and any permanent member can veto them.
Has Gianni Infantino confirmed he is running?
No confirmed candidacy has been announced.
Would Trump backing Infantino be enough?
No. It would only start the process, not decide it.
Why is this relevant in ireland news coverage?
The UN leadership race affects Europe, global diplomacy, security policy and international governance, all of which matter to Irish and European audiences.
Conclusion
This Europe news story may sound dramatic, but the reality is more complicated than a presidential endorsement. Gianni Infantino could theoretically be nominated, yet becoming UN Secretary-General would require surviving an intensely political process, winning international trust and avoiding a veto from one of the world’s biggest powers. For now, the idea remains possible on paper, but far from probable in practice.
