MIAMI- Global Crossing Airlines (G6) has come under public attention after reports showed that the French national football team used the charter carrier for domestic travel during the FIFA World Cup.
The team’s reported flights included travel between Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) after its victory over Paraguay.
Questions have emerged because the same airline is a major contractor for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation operations.
Flight records indicate that one aircraft used by the French squad had recently completed immigration enforcement missions before transporting the national team.
GlobalX’s Role in France’s World Cup Travel
Images shared through the French national team’s official social media accounts and publicly available flight tracking records indicate that France used Global Crossing Airlines, also known as GlobalX, for at least 3 domestic flights between World Cup matches and its training base in Boston.
The issue gained attention after footage showed players boarding a GlobalX-operated aircraft following France’s 1-0 victory over Paraguay. During the boarding process, a GlobalX logo was visible inside the aircraft, leading researchers to examine the flight more closely.
Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 showed an Airbus departing Philadelphia International Airport shortly after midnight on 5 July and arriving at Boston Logan International Airport about one hour later. Researchers with ICE Flight Monitor matched the flight to an aircraft they regularly monitor because of its involvement in immigration enforcement operations.
According to reporting by The Guardian, neither GlobalX nor representatives of the French national team responded to requests for comment regarding the reported use of the aircraft.
Aircraft Had Recently Operated ICE Deportation Flights
Data provided by ICE Flight Monitor showed that the aircraft carrying the French team on 4 July had completed 44 deportation-related flights during 2025 alone and approximately 950 such flights since 2022.
Records also indicated that the same aircraft transported detained immigrants from an Arizona detention facility to Louisiana on 1 July, only a few days before it was used to carry the French squad.
GlobalX has become one of the largest charter operators supporting ICE removal flights. Reports indicate that the airline operated more than half of ICE’s deportation flights during 2024 and 2025.
Investigation Raised Human Rights Concerns
An investigation based on 5 months of leaked GlobalX operational data examined the airline’s role in transporting thousands of immigration detainees across the United States and to international destinations.
The investigation described how detainees were moved without advance notice to locations far from their families, communities and legal representatives. Legal experts cited in the reporting raised concerns that some practices could affect constitutional due process rights.
Among the reported destinations was El Salvador’s Cecot prison, a high-security detention facility that has received international attention for its prison conditions.
Some former detainees reported that they were not told where the aircraft was heading before departure. Others said they remained restrained with hand and foot shackles during transportation.
Flight Monitoring Explained the Connection
ICE Flight Monitor, a project housed within Human Rights First, tracks immigration enforcement flights using publicly available aviation information and publishes regular reports on those operations.
Sierra Randolph, a data manager for ICE Flight Monitor, said it is common for charter airlines to alternate between ICE deportation flights and private charter work, including transporting professional sports teams.
According to Randolph, aircraft can switch between those assignments within the same week or even on the same day.
Political Positions of France’s Players
The reports attracted additional attention because several members of the French national team have publicly opposed far-right political movements and anti-immigration rhetoric.
Captain Kylian Mbappé, whose father is from Cameroon and whose mother is of Algerian descent, has repeatedly encouraged voter participation and criticized the growing influence of France’s far-right National Rally party.
During France’s 2024 parliamentary elections, he described the party’s electoral gains as “catastrophic” and urged young people to prevent the country from “falling into the hands of these people.”
Forward Ousmane Dembélé, defender Jules Koundé and forward Marcus Thuram have also encouraged civic participation and publicly opposed far-right politics. Thuram’s father, World Cup winner Lilian Thuram, has long been recognized for his anti-racism and social justice advocacy.
Former France captain Zinedine Zidane has also publicly criticized National Rally leader Marine Le Pen, speaking against her presidential campaign in 2017.
Mbappé Recently Responded to Racist Remarks
Mbappé also made headlines during the tournament after responding to racist comments made by a Paraguayan senator on social media. He described the senator as a “despicable woman” following the online attack.
Members of the National Rally have previously dismissed criticism from France’s footballers, with some adopting the view that athletes should avoid political debate.
France’s national team is widely regarded as a reflection of the country’s diverse and multicultural population, making political discussions involving its players particularly visible.
Other National Teams Also Used GlobalX
France was not the only national team reported to have traveled on GlobalX aircraft during the World Cup.
Separate media reports stated that England’s national team also used the charter airline during the tournament. Iran’s national team was likewise reported to have flown on GlobalX-operated aircraft.
A spokesperson for the English Football Association declined to comment publicly on the reported travel arrangements.
The reports have increased attention on the overlap between commercial charter services for professional sports organizations and government transportation contracts operated by the same airline.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
