Vancouver Police Deny FIFA's Request for Presidential-Level Motorcade Escort for Infantino

The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) denied a FIFA request for a full police motorcade escort for FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the 76th FIFA Congress events in Vancouver — an escort level typically reserved for heads of state and Internationally Protected Persons such as the Pope. According to CBC and the Globe and Mail, FIFA submitted the motorcade request formally to VPD, which rejected it on the grounds that Infantino does not meet the legal standard of an Internationally Protected Person under Canadian law. A separate motorcade seen near the Vancouver Convention Centre on the same day was confirmed to be for a different dignitary who did qualify. FIFA subsequently told media that Infantino was 'not aware of, or involved in' the request — attributing it to staff acting without his knowledge. The episode drew widespread mockery and criticism, with commentators contrasting the motorcade request with FIFA's refusal to fund NJ Transit fare increases for World Cup fans at MetLife Stadium, and with Infantino's characterization of himself as a 'son of immigrants' at the December 2025 draw. The Globe and Mail called it 'a striking illustration of FIFA's culture of entitlement.'