FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing growing criticism over his travel arrangements during the 2026 World Cup, with concerns being raised about the environmental impact of his efforts to attend matches across three host nations.
The tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, has already highlighted the logistical challenges created by the vast distances separating venues.
According to reports, Infantino has made attending matches a key priority during the competition. Of the 28 games played so far, the FIFA president has reportedly been present for 10 in full, reflecting his determination to maintain a visible presence throughout the tournament.
His schedule has included appearances at a number of high-profile fixtures. After attending the opening match between Mexico national football team and South Africa national football team, Infantino also travelled to watch the United States men’s national soccer team take on Paraguay national football team in Group D.
He has also attended the Group B encounter between Qatar national football team and Switzerland national football team, as well as the match involving Algeria national football team and Argentina national football team.
Ambitious Travel Schedule
Reports indicate that Infantino is aiming to attend as many as two matches per day despite the geographical challenges involved.
To make such a demanding itinerary possible, the FIFA president is said to be travelling on a private aircraft provided by Qatar Airways, enabling him to move rapidly between cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
While the travel arrangements have allowed Infantino to maintain a busy match schedule, they have also become the focus of criticism among some residents in the host nations.
The concerns centre on the environmental consequences of repeated flights across North America during a tournament already characterised by long-distance travel.
Carbon Footprint Concerns
According to reports cited by the French outlet Foot Mercato, Infantino’s travel has generated debate because of its potential carbon impact.
The publication noted that the average annual carbon footprint of an individual in France is approximately 12 tonnes. It further reported that a single flight undertaken by Infantino between Seattle and Los Angeles produced a comparable figure.
Those figures have intensified discussion about sustainability and environmental responsibility during major sporting events.
The issue has also renewed attention on the broader environmental impact of the 2026 World Cup itself.
Because matches are spread across three countries and separated by thousands of kilometres, the tournament has been described as the most polluting World Cup to date, largely due to the extensive air travel required for teams, officials, media representatives and supporters.
Contrast With Qatar 2022
The debate surrounding travel emissions stands in sharp contrast to the previous World Cup in Qatar.
During the 2022 tournament, venues were located in close proximity to one another, significantly reducing travel requirements. Fans were often able to attend multiple matches on the same day, with the article noting that it was possible for some spectators to watch as many as four games in a single day.
The situation in 2026 is markedly different, with the vast geographical scale of the competition creating challenges that did not exist four years earlier.
As the World Cup progresses, Infantino’s commitment to attending matches across the continent is likely to continue. However, the criticism surrounding his travel arrangements highlights a wider debate about how global sporting events can balance accessibility, visibility and commercial success with growing environmental concerns.
