Fifa President Gianni Infantino has undertaken extensive travel across North America to attend World Cup 2026 matches, utilizing a private jet for journeys that have raised questions about the organization's environmental commitments. Infantino attended 27 flights and 24 matches during a recent period, accumulating thousands of air miles across the continent. IMAGE5
The World Cup 2026 tournament spans Canada, Mexico, and the United States, presenting a logistical challenge amplified by the geographically dispersed host cities. This contrasts with the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where the eight stadiums were located within a more concentrated area. Infantino had attended all 64 matches of the Qatar tournament.
Fifa has publicly stated its commitment to reducing emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2040. For the current tournament, the organization outlined environmental pledges including regional hosting to minimize long-haul travel for attendees, promoting energy efficiency through electric vehicles and public transport, and utilizing existing stadiums. IMAGE10
Despite these stated goals, some climate scientists expressed skepticism about the tournament's overall environmental impact even before its commencement. A 2025 report by Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR) estimated the World Cup's carbon footprint could reach nine million tonnes of CO2e, potentially doubling the average of the previous four World Cups and making it the most polluting to date. IMAGE9
This scrutiny follows a 2023 ruling by a Swiss regulator, which found Fifa had made "false statements" by claiming the Qatar 2022 World Cup would be the first carbon-neutral event. The regulator pointed to the use of investments in low-carbon initiatives to offset emissions as misleading. In response to the ruling, Fifa acknowledged the urgency of climate change and stated its belief in the necessity of immediate and sustainable climate action.
Infantino's travel itinerary showcases significant distances covered. For example, on June 13, a flight from Vancouver to Miami spanned approximately 2,800 miles. Another journey on June 22 covered 92 miles from Philadelphia to Teterboro. These flights, calculated on the most direct routes, highlight the extensive travel required to follow the tournament across its vast geographic scope. IMAGE6