Donald Trump, the former U.S. President, has reportedly thought about Gianni Infantino, the leader of FIFA, as someone who could be the next UN Secretary General. The New York Post reported that Trump sees Infantino as a respected person with a talent for uniting people, as shown by the success of the 2026 World Cup. However, Trump's support alone can't guarantee anything. For a candidate to be chosen, all five permanent members of the UN Security Council must back them. These permanent members include the U.S., China, Russia, France, and the UK. Even with Trump's support, Infantino hasn't confirmed whether he wants to run, and the process to become the UN's top diplomat is as much about global politics as it is about having the right skills.
The UN Secretary General is picked by the 193-country General Assembly, based on a recommendation from the 15-member Security Council. First, candidates must be nominated by at least one UN member. Then, they speak during public hearings and answer questions from ambassadors and others. After this, the Council holds secret votes to choose a candidate. However, any of the five permanent members can stop the process. Once the Council makes a recommendation, the General Assembly usually just formally approves it. Historically, the Assembly has never rejected a suggested candidate.
As António Guterres is set to step down after two terms in 2026, the race to find his successor is already taking shape. So far, seven people have put their names forward, but Virginia Gamba, who was once a UN representative for children in conflict, has pulled out. One well-known candidate is Michelle Bachelet, a former Chilean president and former head of the UN Human Rights office. Even though she has a lot of experience, her strong criticism of authoritarian governments might make some countries hesitate. Also, the new conservative government in Chile, led by José Antonio Kast, has stopped supporting her. Still, Bachelet is in the race because other nations, like Mexico and Brazil, back her. Other candidates include Mariano Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and former foreign ministers from Ecuador and Guyana.
Infantino's path to the UN Secretary General position is unlikely. First, he's from Europe, which may conflict with the informal custom of rotating the role between continents. The last two Secretaries have been from Asia and Africa. Also, many countries want a woman to hold this post for the first time, and none of the 10 previous leaders have been female. While the UN rules don't require a candidate to have a diplomatic background, Infantino's past controversies at FIFA might count against him. Additionally, his close ties to Trump, who is a polarizing figure, could make some countries wary. Even if the U.S. decided to put his name forward, the permanent members of the Security Council could still say no.
The process of choosing the next UN Secretary General is ongoing, with the Security Council expected to begin discussions at the end of July. Other candidates include former Senegalese president Macky Sall, who is backed by Burundi; Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis, from Costa Rica and the head of the UN Trade and Development department; and María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, a former Ecuadorian foreign minister. Each of these candidates brings a different set of political and diplomatic experiences to the table. However, the informal expectation for the next leader to be a woman and someone from a different region than the previous two could influence their chances.
The debate over who will become the next UN Secretary General is shaping up to be a major global political event. It is more than just a competition between individuals; it reflects the priorities and values of the world's most powerful nations. The Security Council's role is crucial, especially with its five permanent members who have the power to reject any candidate. Infantino, despite his name being floated by some in the U.S., lacks the traditional background and diplomatic experience that many countries might expect from such a high-profile role. The controversies around his time at FIFA and his association with Trump are likely to further complicate his path.