Private jets and the XXL World Cup: FIFA leaders increasingly out of touch

The World Cup has proven to be an event with a massive environmental cost, from FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s private jet travel to a geographically fragmented organization.

At a time when environmental awareness is becoming increasingly widespread and individual commitment to recycling, reducing consumption, and sustainable mobility is becoming a cornerstone of daily life, a question naturally arises: to what extent can these efforts truly make a difference in the face of global-scale phenomena?

Imagine yourself carefully sorting a plastic bottle, convinced that you’re doing your part for a greener future. Now imagine that, at the very same moment, a sporting event with global reach is generating an unprecedented carbon footprint—one so large that it virtually nullifies the efforts of millions of people. It is this paradox that the 2026 World Cup has brought to light, sparking a wave of criticism and shining a spotlight on the environmental impact of major events.

The FIFA President and the shadow of emissions

At the center of the controversy is FIFA President Gianni Infantino, whose behavior during the tournament raised serious concerns. While the entire world was debating sustainability and the fight against climate change, Infantino faced severe criticism from the international media over his travel arrangements. In particular, there were reports of private jet flights taken up to twice a day, with the stated goal of attending as many matches as possible. Sources within FIFA have reportedly even confirmed his intention to attend two matches a day, whenever logistics permitted, despite a grueling schedule.

A startling estimate suggests that the FIFA president’s travel alone generated approximately 300 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). This figure stands in stark contrast to the image of a sports organization that claims, in theory, to be committed to the environment. On the one hand, individual responsibility is encouraged; on the other, we witness behavior that seems to completely ignore the climate emergency.

The World Cup of all-time records

The issue, however, is not limited to the travel of a single individual. This tournament spanned four time zones and three different countries, with no fewer than 16 stadiums separated by considerable distances of up to 2,800 miles (nearly 4,500 kilometers). This geographical spread necessitated a colossal number of trips, not only for the president but also for the teams, staff, journalists, and fans. The sporting event has, in fact, been widely described as the most polluting in history—a sad record that should give us pause for thought.

Estimates of the overall carbon footprint of this World Cup are alarming: figures suggest nearly 9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide were emitted. Of this colossal total, a significant portion—estimated at around 7.7 million metric tons—is attributed exclusively to air travel. To grasp the gravity of these figures, one need only realize that this volume of emissions is more than four times greater than that generated by all World Cups from 2010 to 2022 combined.

Sustainability and major events: A dialogue of the deaf?

This scenario raises crucial questions about the compatibility between organizing large-scale global events and environmental sustainability goals. Media coverage often focuses on individual acts of virtue, but reality shows that major players and mass events can have a disproportionate impact, to the point of overshadowing collective efforts.

The soccer industry—and the sports industry in general—bears an immense responsibility. Thanks to its visibility and influence, it could and should be a driving force for positive change. Instead, such episodes risk reducing environmental commitments to mere, meaningless declarations of intent. It is essential that organizations like FIFA adopt more rigorous planning policies, carefully evaluating stadium locations, transportation logistics, and the overall carbon footprint as early as the bid and design phases.

Beyond bottle recycling: The need for systemic change

The lesson from this World Cup is clear: while we continue to recycle our bottles and reduce our emissions through everyday actions, it is imperative that major organizations and world leaders demonstrate consistency and a commitment commensurate with the current climate crisis.