FIFA’s 2026 World Cup: A Climate Catastrophe in the Making
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, is shaping up to be the most environmentally damaging tournament in history. With an estimated 9 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, nearly double the historical average, the event is drawing sharp criticism from environmentalists, players, and scientists alike. The primary driver of this carbon footprint is air travel, which accounts for approximately 7.7 million tons of CO2—more than four times the average for tournaments held between 2010 and 2022. In a worst-case scenario, air transport emissions could reach 13.7 million tons.
Expanded Format and Geographical Spread
FIFA’s decision to expand the tournament from 32 to 48 teams, combined with the vast distances between host cities, has exacerbated the environmental impact. Teams and fans will face grueling travel schedules. For example, Bosnia and Herzegovina will travel over 5,000 kilometers from Toronto to Los Angeles to Seattle, with a training camp in Salt Lake City adding further emissions. Algeria will journey nearly 4,800 kilometers between Kansas City, San Francisco, and back, while Czechia will travel more than 4,500 kilometers from Guadalajara to Atlanta to Mexico City.
Greenwashing Accusations
Critics accuse FIFA of greenwashing, pointing to its history of unfulfilled environmental promises. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar was touted as “carbon neutral,” but in reality, it relied on over 1,000 daily flights, energy-intensive desalination, and bogus carbon offsets. For 2026, FIFA has signed a sponsorship deal with Aramco, the world’s largest corporate greenhouse gas emitter, responsible for over 4% of global emissions since 1965. More than 100 professional female footballers, including Canada’s Jessie Fleming, condemned the partnership, stating that FIFA is “choosing money over women’s safety and the safety of the planet.”
Extreme Heat and Player Safety
Climate change is also posing direct threats to player safety. The National Weather Service warns that all US regions will experience above-average temperatures during the tournament. A Guardian analysis found that 26 matches will be played at or above 26°C wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT), a threshold requiring cooling breaks according to global players’ union FIFPro. An academic study further warns that 14 of 16 host cities may see average WBGTs exceeding 28°C in June and July, a level at which FIFPro recommends suspending matches. While some stadiums in hot cities like Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta are air-conditioned, the energy required for cooling adds to the carbon footprint.
Inadequate Mitigation Measures
FIFA has introduced hydration breaks for all matches, regardless of weather conditions, but these breaks include commercial slots for broadcasters—two minutes and 10 seconds of advertising per break. Dr. Madeleine Orr of the University of Toronto criticized the lack of comprehensive planning, noting that “hot and humid weather is predictable in North American summers,” yet FIFA has shown “no consideration for fans, staff, the media, and volunteers.”
Conclusion
The 2026 World Cup is on pace to be a climate catastrophe, with emissions, greenwashing, and heat risks converging. As scholar Tim Walters argues, the tournament may be the deadliest sporting event in history due to its contribution to climate-related deaths. FIFA’s “green card for the planet” rhetoric rings hollow as the organization prioritizes profit over environmental and human safety.
