Fifa President Gianni Infantino's extensive travel schedule during the 2026 World Cup has been revealed, with the official logging over 115 flight hours and covering nearly 60,000 miles. The analysis, conducted by The Associated Press, showed that Infantino flew on multiple flights in a single day and attended all 16 World Cup venues.
Infantino's travel schedule included stops in New York for an interview on Fox & Friends and in Miami for a Fifa summit attended by representatives from the organisation's 211 member associations. He also flew to Doha to attend the funeral of Qatar's former emir before returning to the U.S. in time for the World Cup semifinals.
The Gulfstream G650 jet used by Infantino was operated by the private charter division of Qatar Airways, a World Cup sponsor. The aircraft averaged more than one flight a day and on multiple days made more than three, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware.
Infantino's travel schedule has raised questions about the cost and justification of his extensive travel. While Fifa has not responded to an emailed request for comment, the organisation's president has been vocal about the importance of the World Cup in promoting football globally.
As the world's premier football tournament continues to grow in popularity, questions are being raised about the impact of the World Cup on local communities and the environment. Infantino's travel schedule serves as a reminder of the significant resources required to stage the event.