FOI/202600519989 · FOI · not held
First Minister's trip to FIFA World Cup: FOI release
Information requested
Details of any planned travel by the First Minister, John Swinney, to attend FIFA World Cup matches in 2026.
1. The estimated or actual cost of flights, accommodation, local transport, hospitality and match tickets associated with the trip.
2. The organisation or budget from which each cost will be paid.
3. Copies of any briefing papers, business cases or approvals relating to the trip.
4. Details of any external organisation, football authority, sponsor, host government or commercial body providing hospitality, tickets or financial assistance.
You have said that would also like the same information for Stephen Flynn.
Response
The details of the First Minister's travel to attend FIFA World Cup matches are that he travelled from Edinburgh to Boston on 11th June to undertake a programme of events and attend the Scotland vs Haiti match on 13th June. He travelled from Boston to Kentucky on 14th June to attend a further programme of events and then left Kentucky on 15th June arriving back in Edinburgh on 16th June. He did not attend any matches other than Scotland vs Haiti.
In terms of the First Minister's visit, the details of the costs of the visit are being collated at present and it is our intention to publish these within 12 weeks. This is a formal notice under Section 27(1) that the information is intended for future publication. This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’.
Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release because of the use of public funds to support this visit, and this will be met by our planned publication. In the meantime, there is a greater public interest in taking the time necessary to ensure the information has been properly collated and checked before it is published as planned.
In terms of approvals related to the trip, i have enclosed most of the information you have requested up to the date of your request. Exemptions have been applied throughout for personal data under section 38(1)(b). Disclosing this information would contravene one or more of the data protection principles set out in Article 5 of the UK General Data Protection Regulation and section 34(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018. In particular, the individuals concerned would not reasonably expect their personal data to be disclosed into the public domain in response to a freedom of information request. This exemption is absolute and is therefore not subject to the public interest test.
In terms of briefing papers and business cases related to the trip, we have not identified documentation which falls within the scope of your request up to 4th June.
In terms of the final question on external organisations etc, the First Minister was invited to attend the match by way of a letter from FIFA President Gianni Infantino dated 8th April 2026.
In terms of the information on Stephen Flynn's visit, this was a personal trip, not an official government trip and he was not visiting the USA as a Scottish Government Minister. We therefore do not hold most of the information requested in relation to Stephen Flynn's trip. This is a formal notice under section 17(1) this this information is not held. The only information we hold which you have requested relates to the approvals. That is enclosed.
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.
Detected exemption language
This is a formal notice under Section 27(1) that the information is intended for future publication. This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. Exemptions have been applied throughout for personal data under section 38(1)(b).