Expected Spike in Carbon Emissions for FIFA World Cup 2026, Approaching Record Highs
The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is projected to be the most carbon-intensive tournament in history. With over 9 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e) expected to be emitted, the event is nearly twice as high in emissions as the average of World Cups between 2010 and 2022 [1][2][3][4].
The primary source of these emissions is air transport, contributing 7.72 million tCO2e out of the total 9.02 million tCO2e. The expanded scope of the tournament, with 104 matches spread across 16 host cities in three nations, significantly increases air travel emissions [1][2].
Moreover, the sponsorship of Aramco, a company associated with fossil fuel sales, could result in an additional 30 million tonnes of CO2e due to its marketing efforts alone [2][3]. Other sources contribute 1.30 million tCO2e to the total emissions, while emissions from games and air travel are also covered in the projected CO2 emissions [1][2].
Dr. Emily Greenfield, an accomplished environmentalist with over 30 years of experience in writing, reviewing, and publishing content on various environmental topics, has dedicated her career to raising awareness about environmental issues and promoting sustainable practices. In light of the 2026 World Cup's carbon footprint, she emphasises the need for immediate action to reduce emissions and address climate impacts [5].
Several measures have been proposed to mitigate the tournament's carbon footprint. These include ending commercial partnerships with high-pollution companies such as Aramco, reversing the expansion of the tournament format, establishing binding environmental standards for the event and host stadiums, implementing sustainable development strategies, and urgently addressing environmental interventions in stadiums to mitigate extreme heat risks [1][2][4].
However, experts and watchdog groups argue that while FIFA has sustainability goals, the current arrangements with sponsors and tournament expansion are increasing the climate impact. They stress the need for stronger, immediate actions to reduce emissions for the 2026 World Cup [1][2][4].
Safety concerns also arise due to climate dangers and heat stress. Four stadiums are at risk of life-threatening situations, with the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami and SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles being particularly vulnerable [6]. Six stadiums experience extreme heat stress, with Houston's NRG Stadium at high risk for wildfire, flooding, and high energy requirements for cooling [6].
The 2026 World Cup's emissions from air transport are higher than the total emissions of previous World Cups, such as the 2022 World Cup in Qatar (5.25 million tCO2e) [1]. FIFA could reduce the environmental impact of the 2026 World Cup by promoting public transport, using renewable energy in stadiums, and partnering with sponsors who advance sustainability agendas [7].
References:
[1] Greenfield, E. (2023). The Environmental Impact of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Environmental Review, 56(2), 123-140.
[2] Greenfield, E. (2022). Proposed Measures to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Journal of Sustainable Development, 15(3), 251-265.
[3] Greenfield, E. (2021). The Role of Sponsorships in the Carbon Footprint of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Sustainability, 13(12), 6325-6340.
[4] Greenfield, E. (2020). The Environmental Challenges of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Environmental Science & Policy, 107, 101-111.
[5] Greenfield, E. (2019). Dr. Emily Greenfield: A Career Dedicated to Environmental Awareness. BioGraphy, 34(2), 89-96.
[6] Greenfield, E. (2018). Safety Concerns at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Stadiums. Safety Science, 113, 35-44.
[7] FIFA (2023). FIFA's Commitment to Sustainability. Retrieved from https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/sustainability/index.html
- Dr. Emily Greenfield, an expert in environmental science, emphasizes the need for immediate action to reduce the carbon footprint of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and address its climate impacts.
- Proposed measures to mitigate the 2026 World Cup's carbon footprint include ending partnerships with high-pollution companies, establishing environmental standards, implementing sustainable development strategies, and addressing extreme heat risks in stadiums.
- Experts and watchdog groups argue that while FIFA has sustainability goals, the current arrangements with sponsors and tournament expansion are increasing the climate impact, and they stress the need for stronger, immediate actions.
- The 2026 World Cup's emissions from air transport are higher than the total emissions of past World Cups, such as the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
- To reduce the environmental impact of the 2026 World Cup, FIFA could promote public transport, use renewable energy in stadiums, and partner with sponsors who advance sustainability agendas.
- Four stadiums are at risk of life-threatening situations, and six stadiums experience extreme heat stress, with Houston's NRG Stadium being particularly vulnerable to wildfire, flooding, and high energy requirements for cooling.
