Infantino's Extensive Travel for World Cup: a Data Breakdown

WHO:

Audacy - FIFA President Gianni Infantino

Audacy - Qatar Airways, a World Cup sponsor

Audacy - FIFA, the organization governing world soccer

WHAT:

Audacy - Infantino traveled nearly 60,000 miles and spent more than 100 hours in the air during the 2026 World Cup.

Audacy - Infantino attended 43 World Cup matches before the final.

Audacy - The Gulfstream jet made 23 international border crossings within North America.

Audacy - The Gulfstream jet accumulated 115 flight hours during the tournament.

Audacy - The longest flight lasted 344 minutes from Miami to Seattle.

Audacy - The shortest flight was 28 minutes from Seattle to Vancouver.

Audacy - The total distance traveled by the jet was 59,281 miles (95,403 kilometers).

Audacy - The most miles covered in a single day were 5,772 miles (9,289 kilometers) on June 26.

WHERE:

Audacy - The tournament took place in three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Audacy - Infantino attended matches in 16 cities and 16 stadiums, including Miami's Hard Rock Stadium.

Audacy - The Gulfstream jet primarily used main international airports in host cities but also smaller airports like Atlanta's Fulton County Executive Airport and Miami's Opa Locka Executive Airport.

WHEN:

Audacy - Infantino's travel began with a flight from Los Angeles to Mexico City on June 9.

Audacy - Infantino attended the Belgium-Egypt match on June 15.

Audacy - Infantino attended the FIFA summit in Miami during the tournament.

WHY:

Audacy - FIFA has pledged to reduce carbon emissions from the World Cup and related activities by half by 2030 and aims for net-zero emissions by 2040.

Audacy - Climate researchers and environmental groups argue that the expanded tournament is likely to produce the most atmosphere-polluting greenhouse gases of any World Cup.

HOW:

Audacy - Infantino's travel was facilitated by access to a Gulfstream G650 jet operated by the private charter division of Qatar Airways.

(UPDATED July 19, 2026 10:22 UTC)

FIFA President Gianni Infantino traveled nearly 60,000 miles and spent over 100 hours in the air during the 2026 World Cup, attending 43 matches across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. His journey included 23 international border crossings and saw the Gulfstream jet accumulate 115 flight hours, with the longest flight lasting 344 minutes from Miami to Seattle. FIFA has committed to reducing carbon emissions from the World Cup by half by 2030, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2040, although climate researchers warn that the expanded tournament could generate significant greenhouse gases.