Infantino’s UN Ambitions: Can Trump’s Support Clear the Path?
Poinews.com – Even with Donald Trump’s endorsement, Gianni Infantino faces an uphill battle to secure the United Nations Secretary General position. The New York Post reports that the American president views the FIFA chief as a “respected” contender, highlighting his “special ability to bring people together” through the triumph of the 2026 World Cup. Yet such backing alone cannot guarantee success for someone lacking traditional diplomatic credentials.
Neither party has officially confirmed any candidacy. Should Infantino’s name be formally submitted, he would enter a complex and politically sensitive selection procedure. Winning requires broad international support while avoiding alienation of key players—particularly Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom, whose permanent Security Council seats grant them veto power.
How the UN Selection Process Works
The Secretary General appointment follows a two-stage mechanism. First, the Security Council—a body of fifteen nations comprising ten rotating members alongside five permanent ones—conducts closed-door negotiations to identify a preferred nominee. All prospective candidates must receive nominations from at least one UN member state and subsequently present their platforms during public hearings, fielding questions from ambassadors and civil society representatives.
The Council then conducts a series of confidential straw polls before agreeing on a single candidate to recommend.
Any of the five permanent members—the United States, China, Russia, France, or the United Kingdom—can eliminate a candidacy through a veto. This makes geopolitical acceptability potentially more crucial than formal diplomatic experience. The General Assembly’s subsequent approval serves primarily as a procedural formality, though theoretically it could reject the recommended candidate. Such rejection has never occurred throughout UN history.
The Current Field of Candidates
With António Guterres preparing to depart at year’s end following two consecutive terms, the competition has intensified. The Security Council is anticipated to begin evaluating potential nominees toward the close of July. A session titled “UN Town Hall: The Next Secretary-General” will convene Thursday afternoon in New York, featuring all active contenders.
Seven individuals have emerged as candidates, with one withdrawal already recorded. Virginia Gamba, formerly the UN special representative for the protection of children in armed conflict, initially received backing from the Maldives before withdrawing her candidacy. Michelle Bachelet stands out as one of the most recognizable figures—a left-wing former Chilean president and ex-UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Despite decades of diplomatic service, her vocal opposition to authoritarian regimes may generate divisions. Chile’s conservative administration under José Antonio Kast withdrew its support, yet Bachelet continues competing with backing from Mexico and Brazil’s leadership.
Mariano Grossi, currently directing the International Atomic Energy Agency, earned Argentina’s nomination largely due to his diplomatic efforts safeguarding the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant during Ukraine’s conflict. Other prominent contenders include former Senegalese president Macky Sall (nominated by Burundi), Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis (head of UN Trade and Development, nominated by Costa Rica), and two former foreign ministers: María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés of Ecuador and Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett of Guyana.
Obstacles Ahead for Infantino
An informal geographical rotation tradition suggests the Secretary General role should alternate among continents. As a European, the Swiss-Italian Infantino would face difficulty succeeding Portuguese incumbent Guterres. Additionally, numerous governments advocate for appointing the first female Secretary General, noting all ten predecessors have been men.
While the UN Charter does not mandate diplomatic experience for the position, Infantino might encounter criticism regarding his fitness for the role, particularly given his history of governance controversies.
Meanwhile, no strict deadline exists for submitting nominations. The United States or any other nation could formally propose Infantino’s candidacy even as deliberations continue.
