Infantino flew more than twice around the world during the World Cup

FIFA President Gianni Infantino flew more than twice around the Earth during the World Cup, according to a report by the Associated Press. The Swiss official traveled a total distance of approximately 95,403 kilometers during the tournament, which ran from June 9 to July 19, 2026. This equates to nearly two and a half times the circumference of the Earth, with the equatorial diameter measuring roughly 40,000 kilometers. The FIFA did not comment when asked about the findings. Infantino attended 43 of the 104 matches played during the World Cup. According to reports, he likely used a Gulfstream G650 jet from the charter fleet of Qatar Airways, the tournament’s sponsor. The aircraft had previously been utilized by Infantino in previous years. Flight data was analyzed using information from the website “FlightAware,” alongside photographs sourced from multiple locations. The longest flight recorded was on June 15, when Infantino traveled from Miami to Seattle, taking five hours and 44 minutes. The shortest flight occurred on July 6, when he moved from Seattle to Vancouver, Canada, in just 28 minutes. Other flights included several shorter trips, some of which were classified as transfer flights, during which Infantino was not aboard. For instance, on July 14, during the France vs. Spain semifinal, the plane flew 18 kilometers and took 12 minutes to travel from Dallas-Fort Worth to Love-Field Airport near the city. On June 21, the aircraft covered 13 kilometers between Opa Locka Executive Airport and the nearby Miami International Airport. In addition to his travel during the tournament, Infantino made a stop in Doha, Qatar, before the semifinals to pay respects following the death of former Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. This trip was not included in the overall flight distance calculated by the report. The FIFA has committed to reducing carbon dioxide emissions associated with World Cup activities by half by 2030 and achieving climate neutrality by 2040 as part of its sustainability strategy. A report by Der Spiegel estimates that the jet used by Infantino from June 11 to July 16 alone emitted approximately 813 tons of CO2 during the tournament. The extensive travel schedule highlights the logistical demands of overseeing one of the largest sporting events globally. While the movement of officials is often necessary for coordination and engagement, the environmental impact of such frequent air travel continues to draw scrutiny. As the FIFA works toward its sustainability goals, the issue of balancing operational needs with ecological responsibility remains a key challenge.