Twenty-four matches in just over two weeks. That’s the relentless pace Gianni Infantino has kept since the 2026 World Cup kicked off. An investigation by BBC Verify and BBC Sport tracked 27 private-jet flights linked to FIFA and its president, criss-crossing the United States, Canada and Mexico and clocking up thousands of air miles. The catch? In FIFA’s own sustainability and human rights strategy, the president pledged that the body is “committed to play our part” on climate. And for England fans, one question lingers: how many of the Three Lions’ matches did world football’s top boss actually watch from the stands?
27 flights in two weeks: Infantino’s airborne marathon
Gianni Infantino has attended 24 matches in just over two weeks — an average of more than one game a day — shuttling non-stop between the 16 host cities of the 2026 World Cup. BBC Verify and BBC Sport tracked a private jet linked to FIFA and the president, logging 27 flights across the three host nations.
The expanded 48-team format makes the logistics even heavier. With a longer group stage than ever and stadiums spread across the entire North American continent, watching several matches a day demands hours-long flights between kick-offs — from Mexico to New York, from Canada to California.
FIFA’s climate pledges meet the reality
The contrast is striking: in its 2026 sustainability and human rights strategy, FIFA states in black and white that it is “committed to play our part” on climate. Yet stacking up private-jet flights to attend matches is one of the most carbon-intensive forms of travel per passenger.
Environmental groups have flagged the carbon footprint of major tournaments for years, and staging a World Cup across three continent-sized nations naturally amplifies the distances involved. The president’s travel schedule becomes a symbol of the gap between stated commitments and the operational reality of a tournament built on a continental scale.
What about England? How often FIFA watched the Three Lions
For England fans, the real question is simple: did Tuchel’s side, drawn in Group L alongside Croatia and others, get the president in the stands? Historically, Infantino prioritises the heavyweight nations and the highest-profile fixtures, which places England’s matches among the most likely stops on his itinerary.
Beyond the symbolism, the FIFA chief’s presence at a match signals how much weight a nation carries in the tournament. For an England side fancied as contenders, featuring among the 24 matches Infantino watched would underline their billing as one of the headline acts of this new-look World Cup.
FAQ
How many flights did Gianni Infantino take during the 2026 World Cup?
According to the BBC Verify and BBC Sport investigation, the FIFA president took 27 private-jet flights in just over two weeks to attend 24 matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Why does Infantino have to travel so much at the 2026 World Cup?
The 2026 World Cup is spread across three countries and 16 host cities, with an expanded 48-team format. That geographic spread forces long-haul flights to take in several matches a day.
Why do these trips contradict FIFA’s commitments?
In its sustainability and human rights strategy, FIFA says it is committed to playing its part on climate. But private-jet flights are among the most carbon-intensive forms of travel, which clashes with those pledges.
Did Infantino attend any England matches?
The FIFA president typically prioritises the major nations’ fixtures. With England in Group L and viewed as contenders, their matches are among the most likely to have been watched from the stands.
What is the environmental impact of a 48-team World Cup?
The 48-team format increases the number of matches and the distances between host cities, raising the air travel of teams, staff and officials — and with it the tournament’s overall carbon footprint.
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