Donald Trump wants to nominate Gianni Infantino for new job days after World Cup

Donald Trump wants to nominate FIFA president Gianni Infantino for a brand-new job, it has been reported, after the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup.

President Trump watched Spain's 1-0 win over Argentina in the World Cup final from the stands of the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

The President and his wife, Melania, sat with US secretary state Marco Rubio, Infantino and a number of other FIFA officials.

Representing the World Cup co-hosts, Mexico president Claudia Sheinbaum and Canada prime minister Mark Carney were also in attendance, as well as Spain's King Felipe VI.

Trump gave out the winners' and runners-up medals to Spain and Argentina players and staff, before presenting Spain with the World Cup trophy.

It was the first match of the tournament that Trump attended, though he did have an impact on the World Cup in another way.

The President personally called Infantino to ask whether there was a possibility of appealing Folarin Balogun's red card, with the United States striker having been sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the last 32.

According to reports, officials from the Trump administration supported US Soccer's appeal process, and FIFA ultimately decided to suspend Balogun's ban for a year and allow him to play in the last 16 clash against Belgium.

Mauricio Pochettino's side ultimately did not progress any further as they were comfortably beaten 4-1 by Belgium.

The Balogun saga prompted major criticism of Infantino, who rejected claims of political interference and insisted that the disciplinary committee who suspended the striker's ban was independent of FIFA.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin skipped the World Cup final, reportedly because of Infantino, and several European federations are said to be actively discussing a challenger to Infantino at the next FIFA presidential elections, which take place in 2027.

READ MORE: UEFA president boycotted World Cup final over FIFA decision as feud with Gianni Infantino heats up

Any prospect of the Swiss being replaced, though, appears to be extremely remote, with The Guardian reporting that, out of the 211 member associations that are eligible to vote in the election, more than 200 have endorsed Infantino to win a fourth term.

In the event that a new candidate is appointed as FIFA president, however, Trump has the perfect job in mind for Infantino.

That's according to The New York Post, who report that the US President wants to nominate Infantino as the next secretary-general of the United Nations.

Trump does not have a strong relationship with the UN and it is suggested that Infantino's appointment could strengthen US ties to the organisation.

The incumbent in the role is former Portuguese prime minister, Antonio Guterres, who has served since January 2017.

However, the role is term-limited to a maximum of two terms, meaning Guterres cannot stand for re-election next year.

Antonio Guterres is the current UN secretary-general, but steps down in December (Image: Getty)

Over the past 50 years, it has been rare that UN secretary-generals do not serve 10 years; only Boutros Boutros-Ghali, of Egypt, has not served two full terms in that time. His re-appointment in 1996 was blocked due to the Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia.

A source close to the President told The Post that Trump believes Infantino 'is respected by everyone around the world, and recognises he has a special ability to bring people together'. Infantino gave him the inaugural - and controversial - FIFA Peace Prize at the World Cup draw last year.

What Infantino would do as UN secretary-general

According to the UN's Charter, the secretary-general is the 'chief administrative officer' of the UN, who performs 'such other functions as are entrusted to him or her by the Security Council, General Assembly, Economic and Social Council and other United Nations organs'.

They also have the power to 'bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security'.

They must also 'take careful account of the concerns of Member States', as well as 'uphold the values and moral authority of the United Nations, and speak and act for peace, even at the risk, from time to time, of challenging or disagreeing with those same Member States'.

There are 193 member states of the UN, with most non-members existing as overseas territories.

Kosovo, Western Sahara and Taiwan are not fully recognised by the UN as countries, while Palestine and Vatican City are partially recognised states.

The base salary for a secretary-general stands at $227,000 per year, though that figure is nearly doubled when other expenses and allowances are taken into account.

Even with that increase, the salary pales in comparison to the $2.6 million base sum, plus considerable bonuses, Infantino takes home as FIFA president.

Should Infantino win re-election as expected, he would continue in his role at FIFA for a minimum of five years - but the prestige that comes with the UN role might appeal to him.