According to a report by Le Monde and Forbes, former French World Cup winner Youri Djorkaeff and FIFA President Gianni Infantino have been criticized for using private jets to attend football matches, with carbon emissions equivalent to the annual footprint of 35 to 55 French citizens. The analysis, based on flight tracking data from 2023-2025, found that Djorkaeff's flights for his role as FIFA's chief of global football development and Infantino's official trips produced approximately 1,500 to 2,500 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Environmental groups, including Transport & Environment, have condemned the practice, noting that private jets emit up to 10 times more CO2 per passenger than commercial flights. A spokesperson for FIFA defended the travel, stating it was necessary for efficient global football governance, but critics argue it undermines the organization's sustainability pledges.
The controversy comes as FIFA faces increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The organization has committed to offsetting emissions, but activists say private jet use contradicts these goals.
