The 2026 FIFA World Cup: New Research Claims it Will Be the Most Polluting Event in History

A new report by environmentalists suggests that the upcoming FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico could be the most polluting event in the tournament's history.

By Chris Posiano

July 9, 2025 at 2:42 AM

5,477 views

The upcoming FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, set to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2023, is poised to become the most climate-damaging tournament in the event's history, according to a new report by environmental group Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR).

The research indicates that the expanded tournament, which will feature 48 teams, will generate more than 9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), nearly double the average for the last four World Cup finals and significantly more than Qatar 2022, which is estimated to have had a footprint of up to 5.25 million tonnes of CO2e. This is equivalent to nearly 6.5 million average British cars being driven for an entire year.

The increased reliance on air travel and the significant increase in the number of matches are the primary factors contributing to the high emissions, according to SGR. The 2026 World Cup will be the first to be held across an entire continent and will feature 104 matches, 40 more than previous editions.

In their original bid book, the three prospective host nations for the 2026 tournament had estimated a preliminary carbon footprint of 3.6 million tonnes of CO2e, although this was based on the expectation that only 80 matches would be staged. They also stated their hope that the 2026 World Cup would establish new standards for environmental sustainability in sport and deliver measurable environmental benefits.

FIFA has been approached for comment regarding the new report's findings. The world governing body has previously committed to reducing emissions by 50% by 2030 and to reaching net-zero by 2040.

FIFA has said that it has developed and implemented sustainability strategies to minimize its environmental impact. However, in 2023, a Swiss regulator ruled that the governing body had made "unsubstantiated claims" about the reduced environmental impact of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. FIFA had claimed that the tournament would be the first "fully carbon-neutral World Cup", but the Swiss Fairness Commission (SLK) upheld complaints from five European nations.