France national team uses ICE deportation planes for World Cup travel

The plane that French team used after match with Paraguay flew 44 deportation-related flights this year alone

The French men's national soccer team, whose star Kylian Mbappe is one of the world's most outspoken athletes against far-right politicians, has been using a charter airplane company that is at the heart of the Trump administration's mass deportation campaign.

Images of the team posted on social media and flight tracking data show the French team have used Global Crossing Airlines (GlobalX) for at least three domestic flights between their World Cup games and base camp in Boston. That same airline charter company has operated more than half of ICE's removal flights in 2024 and 2025.