FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing renewed controversy for using a private jet extensively during the 2026 World Cup, calling into question the governing body’s climate-friendly claims.
Infantino made more than 50,000km trips by private jet within the first two weeks of the World Cup, creating estimated emissions of 516 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. This is roughly equivalent to 78 people’s annual emissions, and highlights a gap between FIFA’s climate pledges and Infantino’s travel choices.
One particular flight itinerary the BBC reported for 15 June illustrates this: flying from Miami to Seattle before going on to Los Angeles. Infantino took numerous World Cup matches as his plane made its many stops. These private jets have come under a spotlight as environmental campaigners argue against FIFA’s 2040 goal of achieving net zero and 50% carbon reductions in their operations, citing the increasing size of their events and an increase in private flights to and from.
The new concerns also coincide with a report from Scientists for Global Responsibility that suggested the 2026 World Cup could be the most damaging yet, producing a maximum of nine million tonnes of CO2.
