Gianni Infantino's jet trips generate 516 tonnes CO2 during 2026 World Cup

BBC tracking data showed FIFA president Gianni Infantino made 27 private‑jet flights in just over two weeks of the 2026 World Cup, covering more than 50,000 kilometres and spending about 66 hours in the air. The trips produced an estimated 516 tonnes of CO2‑equivalent, roughly the annual emissions of 78 people. Infantino attended 24 group‑stage matches, sometimes travelling twice or three times in a single day; the longest leg was Vancouver to Miami (≈4,500 km) and the shortest was Philadelphia to Teterboro (148 km).

In a separate German‑language piece, Infantino is portrayed in a self‑styled diary that praises his own role, describes himself as a “football god,” and claims the tournament welcomed a record five‑million fans in stadiums, emphasizing fan enthusiasm over any logistical details.

The reports revive debate over the environmental footprint of major sporting events and FIFA’s stated sustainability commitments ahead of the tournament hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.