‘Green card for the planet’? Fifa’s World Cup is on pace to be a climate catastrophe
Summary
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to cause nearly twice the typical greenhouse gas emissions compared to previous tournaments because of more teams and large travel distances between the three host countries: the US, Canada, and Mexico. This event is projected to produce about 9 million tons of carbon dioxide, mainly from air travel, making it the most polluting World Cup so far.Key Facts
- The 2026 World Cup will have 48 teams, up from 32 in the 2022 tournament.
- The tournament will be hosted by three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico, covering a large geographic area.
- Scientists estimate the total greenhouse gas emissions at around 9 million tons of CO2 equivalent.
- Air travel is responsible for about 7.7 million tons of these emissions, over four times the average for recent World Cups.
- The 2026 tournament’s emissions far exceed those of previous events, including the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
- FIFA has been criticized for failing to meaningfully reduce its environmental impact despite public green promises.
- The long distances between host cities mean fans and teams will travel more, increasing carbon emissions.
- Critics argue that the event’s environmental damage could cause health risks and represent a massive climate problem.
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