FIFA President Gianni Infantino is planning to attend two World Cup matches per day for the remainder of the tournament, despite the enormous distances involved. The tournament is spread across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, covering four time zones and 16 stadiums up to 2,800 miles apart.
Private Jet Provided by Qatar Airways
Infantino has access to a private jet provided by Qatar Airways as part of its sponsorship deal with FIFA. This allows him to travel swiftly between venues. After attending the opening game in Mexico City, he flew to Guadalajara for South Korea's victory over Czechia. The next day, he was in Los Angeles for the USA's 4-1 win against Paraguay, followed by games in San Francisco and Vancouver.
Grueling Schedule
Infantino did not attend a match on Sunday because he was in Miami hosting a FIFA summit with representatives from 211 member associations. He returned to Los Angeles that evening for Iran's first game against New Zealand. FIFA sources confirm that Infantino will attempt to attend two matches daily as often as possible, despite the demanding itinerary.
During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Infantino attended all 64 games, as the longest distance between stadiums was only 46 miles. The current tournament presents a much greater logistical challenge.
Environmental Impact
The New Weather Institute has described this World Cup as "the most polluting event ever," estimating it will generate about 9 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. Air travel accounts for approximately 7.7 million tons, more than four times the average for World Cups from 2010 to 2022. The distances traveled by teams are also significant; for example, Bosnia and Herzegovina will travel 3,144 miles during the group stage.
