FIFA President Attends Matches in Multiple Host Cities During 2026 World Cup

FIFA President Gianni Infantino attended matches at multiple host venues during the first two weeks of the 2026 World Cup. He began at the June 11 opening ceremony and Mexico's match against South Africa at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, then moved 295 miles to Guadalajara Stadium for South Korea's 2-1 win over Czechia.

Infantino continued to Los Angeles Stadium, 329 miles away, for the United States men's national team's match against Paraguay, where he met singer Justin Bieber.

Subsequent stops included San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, 313 miles from Los Angeles, for Qatar versus Switzerland, and BC Place Vancouver, 822 miles farther, for Australia against Türkiye. On June 14 he addressed FIFA members at the Executive Football Summit in Miami before resuming match attendance with Belgium versus Egypt in Seattle.

Additional venues included a second Los Angeles Stadium game, Kansas City Stadium, Houston Stadium, a return to Mexico City Stadium, another Vancouver visit, Boston Stadium, Philadelphia Stadium and a final Houston Stadium match.

ESPN reported Infantino met Seattle Mariners and Seahawks players, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman and Victor Glover, and extended wishes to Canada midfielder Ismaël Koné after a broken leg. He also painted pitch lines at the New York/New Jersey stadium ahead of the July 19 final.