Where has Infantino been? FIFA president’s epic World Cup tour
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been a ubiquitous sight on the 2026 FIFA World Cup to date, popping up throughout all three host nations through the opening week of the event.
Infantino’s authentic proposal was to attend two video games per day as typically as attainable, clocking up some severe air miles aboard his non-public jet within the course of.
As it transpires, the pinnacle of world soccer’s governing physique hasn’t fairly managed to cowl as a lot floor as he initially supposed, though he has nonetheless popped up throughout Canada, Mexico and the United States through the first week of the World Cup to absorb loads of opening group stage matches and far else in addition to.
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In an effort to chart Infantino’s epic 2026 World Cup voyage, we’re monitoring him as he goes on his merry manner or, as his mission assertion on social media places it: “Living football, uniting the world through football and making football truly global.”
Infantino was already within the US within the week forward of the event kicking off, lending a serving to hand by portray the strains on the pitch of the New York/New Jersey stadium the place the ultimate will happen on July 19. He then started his World Cup odyssey in earnest on the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, the place the opening ceremony occurred on June 11.
All distances measured as the group flies between stadiums/places
June 11
Mexico vs. South AfricaMexico City Stadium
Naturally, FIFA’s head honcho was in attendance on the Azteca as co-hosts Mexico kicked off the 2026 World in fashion with a advantageous victory over South Africa.
South Korea vs. CzechiaGuadalajara Stadium (295 miles)
Infantino made the quick hop throughout Mexico to Guadalajara to observe South Korea’s 2-1 win over Czechia earlier than commending the host metropolis and the 45,000 followers in attendance for making the expertise so memorable.
June 12
United States vs. ParaguayLos Angeles Stadium (329 miles)
The USMNT’s World Cup opener was an unmissable event for the FIFA president, who left Guadalajara and flew over the border into Los Angeles in time to observe the co-hosts thrash Paraguay. As if that weren’t sufficient, he additionally had the consideration of assembly singer Justin Bieber.
June 13
Qatar vs. SwitzerlandSan Francisco Bay Area Stadium (313 miles)
Infantino then set out on a 505 km journey alongside the California coast to San Francisco to observe Qatar face off in opposition to Switzerland the next day — as soon as once more ensuring to spotlight the attendance figures amid widespread criticism that many World Cup video games weren’t fairly the sellouts FIFA would really like them to be.
Australia vs. TürkiyeBC Place Vancouver (822 miles)
After watching the 1-1 draw between Qatar and Switzerland in San Francisco, Infantino jetted off to northwest Canada to attend the Group D tie between Australia and Türkiye — the final of the 4 World Cup video games to happen on that day.
June 14
FIFA Executive Football Summit 2026, Miami (2,805 miles)
On the day that Scotland beat Haiti 1-0 and Germany drubbed Curacao 7-1, Infantino didn’t attend a World Cup sport and as a substitute flew 1000’s of 1000’s from Vancouver to Miami to handle FIFA members on the Executive Football Summit 2026, held on the Ritz-Carlton South Beach lodge.
June 15
Belgium vs. EgyptSeattle Stadium (2,733 miles)
The FIFA president was again in World Cup mode the next day after a long-haul journey from coast to coast noticed him arrive in Seattle in time to observe Belgium and Egypt in motion. He additionally managed to squeeze in a meet-and-greet with a gaggle of Seattle Mariners and Seahawks gamers earlier than the sport.
Iran vs. New ZealandLos Angeles Stadium (961 miles)
Infantino then took in a second sport of the day, returning to Los Angeles to observe the entertaining 2-2 draw between Iran and New Zealand. The FIFA president additionally made a particular level of addressing the Iran nationwide workforce after the hardships that enveloped its journey to the World Cup.
June 16
Argentina vs. AlgeriaKansas City Stadium (1,366 miles)
Another cross-country flight got here the next day as Infantino traveled from Los Angeles to Kansas City to observe Lionel Messi and Argentina start their trophy protection in opposition to Algeria in Missouri — and in entrance of yet one more full home!
June 17
Portugal vs. Congo DRHouston Stadium (646 miles)
Infantino donned his best Stetson hat on arrival in Houston to observe Portugal labor to a 1-1 draw in opposition to Congo DR, who had been showing at their first World Cup in over 50 years.
June 18
Uzbekistan vs. ColombiaMexico City Stadium (757 miles)
A hop again over the border to Mexico City kicked off a mammoth day of journey for Infantino, which started with a return to the Azteca to observe Uzbekistan tackle Colombia whereas sandwiched between the 2 nations’ respective soccer federation presidents, Ramón Jesurún and Ravshan Irmatov.
Canada vs. Qatar, BC Place Vancouver (2,458 miles)
Infantino then flew the size of North America to attend the primary match within the second spherical of group fixtures between Canada and Qatar in Vancouver, which produced six targets and two purple playing cards. Infantino additionally prolonged his finest needs to Canada midfielder Ismaël Konéwho suffered a damaged leg through the second half.
Total distance traveled throughout first week of World Cup: 13,489 miles
