Gianni Infantino’s private‑jet travel creates massive CO₂ emissions at 2026 World Cup

FIFA president Gianni Infantino used a private Gulfstream G650ER jet to attend 24 of the 72 group‑stage matches of the 2026 World Cup, traveling across the United States, Canada and Mexico between 11 June and 27 June. BBC investigators recorded 27 flights covering more than 31,000 miles (over 50,000 km) and more than 66 hours in the air. The jet’s fuel burn equated to roughly 516 tonnes of CO₂‑equivalent, an impact the investigators likened to the annual emissions of 78 people. Critics noted the stark contrast with FIFA’s climate pledges, which promise a 50 % cut in emissions by 2030 and net‑zero by 2040. Environmental groups highlighted that private jets emit five to 14 times more greenhouse gases than commercial flights. A separate report by Scientists for Global Responsibility warned that the tournament’s total carbon footprint could approach nine million tonnes of CO₂e, nearly double the average of previous World Cups.