27 flights, 24 matches: How Fifa’s president is jetting around World Cup
Record Travel During 2026 World Cup
27 flights 24 matches - Gianni Infantino, the head of FIFA, has made 27 flights across North America in less than two weeks to attend matches at the 2026 World Cup. This extensive travel has covered thousands of miles, reflecting the scale of the tournament spread across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With 16 host cities and an expanded group stage, the event has seen more matches than ever before.
A Focus on Sustainability
FIFA’s 2026 World Cup aims to integrate sustainability and human rights initiatives. Infantino emphasized this commitment in a statement:
"Whether we speak about climate, human rights, diseases or disabilities, we are committed to play our part."
Despite these goals, his travel has involved a private jet, which has been tracked by BBC Verify and BBC Sport.
Tracking the President’s Itinerary
The jet linked to FIFA and Infantino has made 27 flights during the tournament, aligning with documented appearances at matches in various cities. Using flight data, analysts estimate the environmental impact of this travel, comparing it to the annual emissions of 78 individuals. Over a fortnight, the plane’s journey totaled at least 31,144 miles (50,122 km), with over 66 hours spent in the air.
Key Flights and Distances
Infantino’s longest single flight was from Vancouver to Miami on 13 June, covering 2,800 miles (4,507 km) after watching Australia vs. Turkey. On 22 June, a shorter 92-mile (148 km) trip occurred between Philadelphia and Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, though no match was attended there. The following day, he was interviewed at Fox News in New York before flying to Boston and Toronto.
On 15 June, he traveled more than 2,700 miles (4,000 km) across the U.S., moving from Miami to Seattle to watch Belgium vs. Egypt. Later that day, he flew 960 miles (1,545 km) to Los Angeles for the Iran vs. New Zealand match. Another significant journey was on 26 June, where the jet departed Miami, stopped in Dallas, and reached Seattle, covering 2,700 miles (4,345 km) in total.
Environmental Impact
Private jet travel is known for its high carbon footprint, emitting greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. The Gulfstream G650ER, believed to be the aircraft used, consumes around 1,817 litres of fuel per hour. Based on this, the emissions from Infantino’s flights during the group stage are estimated at 516 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent (CO₂e), using UK government conversion factors.
The calculation includes direct emissions and indirect climate effects, such as atmospheric warming. While precise per-passenger data is unavailable due to unknown occupancy, the total emissions match the yearly output of 78 average individuals. FIFA’s representative noted that the president often travels with officials for event-related duties, sometimes using commercial airlines when feasible.