FIFA chief and Brazil's CBF president face criticism for private jet use at 2026 World Cup

Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) president Samir Xaud travelled to the 2026 World Cup using Palmeiras president Leila Pereira's Dassault Falcon 8X, first flying from Brazil to Mexico and later from Mexico to New York. The trips highlighted the close relationship between the CBF leadership and the Palmeiras club.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino was reported to have taken at least 27 private‑jet flights during the tournament’s opening weeks, covering more than 50,000 km in a Gulfstream G650ER. The flights generated roughly 516 tonnes of CO₂e, an emissions level comparable to the annual carbon footprint of about 78 average people, raising questions about FIFA’s pledge to halve emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.