FIFA confirms it deliberately puts Infantino and celebrities on screen at World Cup matches

FIFA has confirmed it deliberately directs cameras toward president Gianni Infantino, governing body officials, and celebrity attendees during matches at the 2026 World Cup in North America, following growing scrutiny over the frequency of such cutaways.

“It is standard practice for seats which include football officials, public figures and celebrities to be shown as part of the match running order, whoever they may be,” a FIFA spokesperson told The Athletic.

The policy has attracted criticism from some fans, who have voiced frustration at the regularity with which Infantino in particular has appeared on screen. The FIFA president has reportedly travelled more than 50,000 km during the tournament’s opening weeks, attending multiple matches — sometimes several in a single day — and has been afforded camera time typically associated with high-profile celebrity guests such as David Beckham and Brad Pitt.

The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, has drawn a steady stream of famous faces to stadiums, and the volume of celebrity coverage has become a talking point in its own right.

Infantino’s visibility carries added weight given his recent announcement that he intends to seek a third term as FIFA president in 2027. If re-elected, he would remain in charge of football’s global governing body until 2031 — a total reign of 15 years. No challenger has yet entered the race to oppose him.

The semi-finals take place this week, with France facing Spain in the first fixture, followed by England against Argentina — their first competitive meeting since the 2002 World Cup. The final is scheduled for Sunday at MetLife Stadium, where US President Donald Trump is expected to play a prominent role in the occasion.

The tournament has not been without controversy. The United States’ handling of Iran’s squad forced the team to relocate their training base to Tijuana, Mexico, while USMNT forward Folarin Balogun had a red card rescinded following reported intervention from Trump. Costly VAR errors in key matches have also drawn widespread criticism.