FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been spotted in the crowd at nearly every match of the 2026 World Cup, prompting jokes and environmental criticism. By early July, he had attended 32 fixtures across the three host nations—the United States, Canada, and Mexico—using a private jet provided through a sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways.
Constant TV Appearances Spark Humor
Television cameras frequently cut to Infantino in the stands, leading fans to joke online that he must be using teleportation to move between stadiums. In reality, his travel relies on a Gulfstream G650ER private jet, a multi-million-pound aircraft that serves as a flying office, enabling him to hop between host cities in hours.
Private Jet and Sponsorship Deal
Infantino's high-speed transport is provided via a value-in-kind sponsorship agreement with Qatar Airways. The arrangement allows him to attend two matches daily despite the vast distances between stadiums. The aircraft burns over 1,800 litres of fuel per hour, contributing to a massive carbon footprint that has drawn criticism from environmental groups.
Extensive Air Miles and Carbon Footprint
Tracking data revealed that Infantino flew over 31,000 miles during the initial weeks of the tournament, with his jet spending more than 66 hours airborne across 27 flights. This contrasts sharply with the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where the longest distance between stadiums was only 46 miles.
Upcoming Logistical Challenges
Infantino intends to attend nearly all remaining knockout fixtures, including both the England and Argentina quarter-final matches scheduled close together on Saturday night and Sunday morning, presenting a logistical challenge.
