2026 FIFA World Cup: Infantino’s Travel Habits Spark Environmental Concerns
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has come under renewed scrutiny during the 2026 FIFA World Cup as environmental groups and sustainability experts question the climate impact of his extensive use of private air travel while attending matches across North America.
With the tournament being hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, Infantino has maintained a hectic schedule, travelling between multiple host cities in a matter of days. Since the competition began, he has appeared at matches in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, Seattle, Kansas City and Houston, frequently using a private jet to move between venues.
The FIFA president’s reliance on private aviation is not a new issue. Investigative reports previously revealed that he had accumulated approximately 600,000 kilometres of private jet travel over a three-year period. However, the expanded format of the 2026 World Cup has intensified the debate.
For the first time, the tournament features 48 teams and 104 matches spread across a vast geographical area. While FIFA has praised the competition’s scale and accessibility, critics argue that the tournament’s structure inevitably increases air travel for officials, teams, sponsors and supporters.
Environmental consultancy Greenly estimates that if Infantino continues attending multiple matches across different cities throughout the tournament, his private jet could generate between 300 and 500 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. According to the company, that would be equivalent to the annual carbon footprint of dozens of individuals.
FIFA has defended the travel arrangements of its president and senior executives, stating that transportation decisions are based on efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The governing body maintains that travel requirements are dictated by the demands of overseeing a tournament spread across three countries.
Nevertheless, environmental experts believe the issue extends beyond one individual
David Gogishvili, a geographer at the University of Lausanne, argues that the tournament’s design has created what he describes as a “sustainability paradox.” While FIFA has utilised existing stadium infrastructure across North America, the enormous distances between host cities have made extensive air travel unavoidable.
According to Gogishvili, the sight of senior FIFA officials travelling frequently by private jet reflects a broader challenge facing modern mega-events: balancing global accessibility with environmental responsibility.
Environmental campaigners have also voiced concern. Greenpeace USA’s Oceans Campaign Director, John Hocevar, criticised the optics of FIFA leadership relying on highly polluting private flights while global organisations increasingly call for stronger action against climate change.
The controversy has reignited discussions about the future of international football tournaments. Similar concerns are expected to arise during the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, while the planned centenary edition of the men’s tournament in 2030 will span multiple continents, with matches scheduled in Morocco, Portugal, Spain and South America.
Private jet usage surrounding major sporting events remains a wider issue. Studies from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar showed that thousands of private aircraft movements were linked to the tournament, contributing significantly to its overall environmental footprint.
Critics argue that global sporting events must find ways to reduce emissions if they are to align with broader sustainability goals. Supporters of FIFA’s approach, meanwhile, contend that organising a tournament of such magnitude inevitably requires extensive travel and logistical flexibility.
