FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s frequent appearances on television broadcasts during the 2026 FIFA World Cup may not be coincidental.
FIFA’s agreements with official broadcasters reportedly include a clause requiring Infantino to be shown on screen during matches.
Copa90 presenter Eli Mengem claimed, citing sources within the broadcasting industry, that television directors are instructed to feature the FIFA President at least once per half during games.
“I’ve been told by someone very reliable in the broadcasting world that the answer is yes, once per half. They don’t show it in the stadium because of the booing,” Mengem wrote on social media.
Similar reports emerged during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. At the time, it was alleged that directors overseeing the official tournament feed were instructed to show Infantino at least once per match and avoid broadcasting images of him while using his phone.
Infantino has remained one of the most visible figures throughout the 2026 World Cup despite the tournament being spread across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Reports indicate that the FIFA President has already travelled more than 31,000 miles by private jet during the competition, attending at least one match per day. In the opening five days alone, he reportedly visited Mexico City, Guadalajara, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, Miami, Seattle and Los Angeles again.
With the tournament entering the knockout stages and the number of matches decreasing, Infantino is expected to maintain a strong presence at key fixtures, including the latter rounds where he could be seen alongside U.S. President Donald Trump.
Infantino has also been at the centre of debate over FIFA’s expanded hydration break policy. While the FIFA President insists the additional cooling breaks are necessary to protect players and ensure fairness in extreme conditions, critics argue that such measures are altering the traditional flow of the game.