FIFA chief Infantino logs enough air miles during World Cup to circle equator twice

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has logged enough travel during the 2026 World Cup to effectively circle the Earth’s equator twice, according to a Bloomberg calculation based on shortest airport distances. After FIFA expanded the tournament to 104 matches across Canada, Mexico, and the United States with 48 teams, Infantino has flown about 93,000 km (57,700 miles) on a luxury Gulfstream G650ER operated by Qatar Airways, with FIFA paying for the aircraft, the article says. His attendance covers nearly half of the matches, and he watched two games on the same day in different cities on 13 occasions. One of his longest travel days was June 26, when the jet flew more than 5,500 miles, including legs via Philadelphia, Dallas, and Seattle. Infantino has watched six games in Miami—the most of any location—after relocating there two years prior to the tournament. FIFA declined to comment on his itinerary.