2026 World Cup could become the most polluting football tournament, study warns

The 2026 World Cup, to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, could become the most polluting football tournament in history, according to FIFA’s Climate Blind Spot report, produced by the New Weather Institute. The study warns that the expanded format, geographical spread and reliance on air travel will sharply increase the event’s climate impact.

A key finding is the emission total. The tournament is projected to generate at least nine million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, almost double the average for World Cups held between 2010 and 2022 (about 4.7 million). In broader scenarios, the figure could rise to 15 million tonnes, making it one of the most polluting events in sport.

New factors: more teams, more matches, more emissions. The increase to 48 teams and 104 matches represents a 63% rise on previous editions. That expansion translates into more travel, more fans and greater pressure on infrastructure, with emissions growth driven largely by air travel, the report notes as the tournament’s main source of pollution.

Logistics are the biggest hurdle. Unlike tournaments held in a single country, the 2026 World Cup will be played across 16 cities spread along the North American continent, separated by thousands of kilometres. Teams, journalists and millions of fans will rely almost entirely on planes. The report estimates air travel will generate more than 7.7 million tonnes of CO₂.

In addition, emissions linked to flights could rise by between 160 per cent and 325 per cent compared with previous tournaments, cementing transport as the event’s main climate problem.

A model that is hard to justify. Although the tournament will not require mass construction of new stadiums, which partly reduces its impact, the report argues that the real problem is structural: a competition model that is ever larger, more global and more dependent on long-distance travel. There is also a lack of sustainable alternatives; unlike Europe or Asia, North America does not have extensive high-speed rail networks to offset transport emissions.

The report also questions FIFA’s climate strategy, accusing the body of having a "blind spot" when it comes to the environmental crisis. According to the authors, there is a clear gap between the organisation’s sustainability pledges and the reality of its decisions, such as expanding the tournament or choosing widely scattered host cities. They warn that the 2026 World Cup could worsen the climate crisis, at a time when the world is calling for urgent cuts in emissions.

What does FIFA say? The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) says the 2026 World Cup will be accompanied by a sustainability strategy focused on reducing environmental impacts and leaving a "positive legacy" in the host cities. The organisation says it will promote sustainable construction standards in stadiums and temporary infrastructure, encourage the use of public transport and seek to cut waste, energy consumption and emissions associated with the tournament.

FIFA also maintains that the host cities will be key to implementing long-term climate measures and promoting more sustainable practices beyond the competition itself. However, the report, produced in partnership with Scientists for Global Responsibility, Environmental Defense Fund and The Sport for Climate Action Network, warns that these measures are unlikely to offset the tournament’s structural impact.