The World Cup must pay its carbon bill
Summary
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will have a large environmental impact due to travel and stadium operations across 16 cities in the US, Canada, and Mexico. The event’s carbon emissions are estimated at about 7.8 million tonnes, mostly from spectator travel, and there are calls for the tournament to include sustainability measures funded by its significant revenues.Key Facts
- The 2026 World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 across 16 cities in three countries.
- There are 48 teams playing 104 games in this tournament.
- An estimated 7.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) will be emitted during the event.
- About 88% of the carbon footprint comes from fans traveling, mainly by air.
- Other emissions come from stadium energy use like lighting, cooling, broadcasting, and security.
- FIFA has budgeted over $11 billion in revenue for its 2023-2026 cycle, expecting increases due to the World Cup.
- Experts suggest part of the event’s revenue should be invested in climate-friendly projects and reducing emissions.
- Fans’ actions, like cleaning up stadiums after matches, show a willingness to take responsibility for environmental impact.
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