The 2026 FIFA World Cup could become the most polluting tournament in football history, with emissions potentially reaching at least nine million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, according to a new report.
The study, titled FIFA’s Climate Blind Spot, was produced by the New Weather Institute in partnership with Scientists for Global Responsibility, the Environmental Defense Fund and The Sport for Climate Action Network. It warns that the expanded tournament, which will be hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, could produce almost twice the emissions of recent World Cups.
According to the report, World Cups held between 2010 and 2022 generated an average of around 4.7 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent. In broader scenarios, the 2026 edition could reach as much as 15 million tonnes.
The main driver is travel. The tournament will feature 48 teams and 104 matches, a 63% increase on previous editions. Matches will be played in 16 cities across North America, with some venues separated by thousands of kilometres.
The report estimates that air travel alone could account for more than 7.7 million tonnes of CO₂. Emissions linked to flights could rise by between 160% and 325% compared with previous tournaments, making transport the event’s largest climate concern.
Although the tournament is not expected to require the construction of large numbers of new stadiums, the report argues that the competition’s structure creates a major environmental burden. It points to the expanded format, the spread of host cities and the limited availability of alternatives to flying, such as high-speed rail, as key factors.
The authors also question FIFA’s climate strategy, arguing that there is a gap between the organisation’s sustainability commitments and decisions that increase the scale and travel demands of the tournament.
FIFA says the 2026 World Cup will be accompanied by a sustainability strategy aimed at reducing environmental impacts and leaving a positive legacy in host cities. The organisation says it will promote sustainable construction standards, encourage the use of public transport and seek to reduce waste, energy consumption and emissions linked to the tournament.
However, the report argues that these measures are unlikely to offset the structural impact of staging an expanded competition across such a large geographical area.
Source: Euronews
