Can Trump make Gianni Infantino UN Chief? How the selection process actually works
The UN chief is not elected by one country. Here’s how the process works and whether an outsider like Infantino has a real shot.
The idea that a sitting U.S. president could handpick the next United Nations secretary-general is nowhere close to how it actually works. After reports that Donald Trump favors FIFA president Gianni Infantino for the role, the question of how realistic this actually is has come to the forefront.
In reality, the process is far more complex, involving multiple stages, diplomatic negotiations and, crucially, veto power from the world’s major powers.
How the UN secretary-general is selected
The secretary-general is appointed through a two-step process defined by the UN Charter.
First, the 15-member UN Security Council recommends a candidate. This is the most decisive stage. Any of the five permanent members - the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia and China - can block a candidate using their veto power.
A candidate must receive at least nine votes from the Security Council and avoid a veto to move forward.
Second, the UN General Assembly, which includes all 193 member states, formally appoints the candidate. This step is typically seen as a confirmation rather than a competitive vote, as the General Assembly rarely rejects the Security Council’s recommendation.
Why one country cannot decide the outcome
Even though the United States is one of the most influential UN members, it cannot unilaterally install a secretary-general. Any nominee would need to gain support, or at least avoid opposition, from the other permanent members, including geopolitical rivals such as China and Russia. In practice, this requires broad international acceptability.
Historically, candidates emerge through behind-the-scenes negotiations rather than public campaigns, with diplomats seeking consensus candidates who are unlikely to trigger vetoes.
The role of regional rotation
While not a formal rule, there is a longstanding tradition of regional rotation in selecting the secretary-general. The current secretary-general, António Guterres of Portugal, is from Western Europe. Many diplomats and analysts expect the next leader to come from Latin America or the Caribbean, as that region has not held the position since the 1980s.
This informal expectation can influence which candidates gain traction, even though it is not legally binding.
Does Gianni Infantino fit the typical profile?
Most UN secretaries-general have had extensive diplomatic or political experience, often serving as foreign ministers, prime ministers or senior UN officials.
Infantino, as president of FIFA, oversees an organization with more than 200 member associations, giving him experience managing a large international body. However, he does not have a traditional diplomatic background.
Whether that would help or hinder his chances is unclear. On one hand, his global visibility and leadership experience could be seen as assets. On the other, the role of secretary-general involves delicate geopolitical negotiations, conflict mediation and deep engagement with international law, areas typically dominated by career diplomats.
How realistic is this scenario?
For Infantino, or any candidate, to become secretary-general, they would need to navigate a highly competitive and opaque process involving multiple governments with competing interests. Even if backed by the United States, a candidate would still need to avoid vetoes from the other permanent members and gain international support.
In practice, this means that any nomination seen as too politically aligned with one country could face significant resistance. The UN secretary-general is not chosen by a single leader, but through a careful balance of global power dynamics. While high-profile endorsements can shape the conversation, the final decision ultimately depends on whether a candidate can secure consensus among the world’s most powerful nations.
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