FIFA President Gianni Infantino is using a luxury private jet to attend nearly every match of the 2026 World Cup.
The travel arrangement highlights the logistical challenges of a tournament spanning three countries and the perceived extravagance of soccer's governing body. As the event unfolds across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico [1], Infantino is utilizing high-speed aviation to maintain a constant presence at venues.
Infantino is traveling in a Gulfstream G650ER operated by Qatar Airways Executive [1]. The aircraft features an office-style cabin that allows the president to conduct business while moving between host cities, including Toronto [1, 2].
To maintain this schedule, Infantino aims to attend two games per day [2]. This rapid movement is made possible by the aircraft's technical specifications, which include a top speed close to 1,000 km/h [1]. The jet also possesses a maximum range of up to 13,900 km [1].
FIFA officials said the travel is necessary to oversee tournament operations and ensure a visible leadership presence. However, the use of a luxury suite has sparked debate among observers regarding fairness, and the optics of such spending during a global event.
The president's ambitious itinerary has also led to social media scrutiny. Some fans reported seeing Infantino at two different matches at the same time, though reports from The New York Times suggest the schedule is feasible given the jet's speed [2].
“Infantino aims to attend two games per day”
The use of a high-performance private jet underscores the unprecedented scale of the 2026 World Cup, which is the first to be hosted by three nations. While the speed of the Gulfstream G650ER makes a multi-game daily schedule technically possible, the reliance on such luxury travel may intensify existing criticisms regarding FIFA's transparency and its relationship with wealthy state-backed carriers.
