‘Green card for the planet’? Fifa’s World Cup is on pace to be a climate catastrophe
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the US, is projected to be the most polluting in history with nearly 9 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. Air travel accounts for the majority of emissions, exacerbated by the tournament's expanded 48-team format and vast geographical spread. Despite FIFA's past claims of promoting environmental sustainability, critics argue the event exemplifies greenwashing and poses significant climate risks.
- ▪The 2026 World Cup is projected to emit around 9 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, nearly double the historical average for the tournament.
- ▪Air travel is responsible for approximately 7.7 million tons of the event’s carbon footprint, over four times the average of previous tournaments from 2010 to 2022.
- ▪FIFA promoted the 2022 Qatar World Cup as 'carbon neutral,' but it relied on questionable carbon offsets and energy-intensive infrastructure, undermining its environmental claims.
- ▪The 2026 tournament spans three countries with vast distances between venues, making low-carbon transportation options largely impractical for fans and teams.
- ▪Scholar Tim Walters has described the 2026 World Cup as potentially the deadliest sporting event in history due to the public health impacts of its greenhouse gas emissions.
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| Original publisher | The Guardian — US |
| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/17/world-cup-climate-change |
| Publication time | Sun, 17 May 2026 10:00:35 GMT |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-17T10:12:13.019Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-17T10:12:13.019Z |
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Hydration breaks at last year’s Club World Cup were used to give players respite and keep the pitches watered during the heat of the US summer, when temperatures can exceed 28C (82.4 F). Photograph: George Walker IV/APView image in fullscreenHydration breaks at last year’s Club World Cup were used to give players respite and keep the pitches watered during the heat of the US summer, when temperatures can exceed 28C (82.4 F). Photograph: George Walker IV/APWorld Cup 2026‘Green card for the planet’? Fifa’s World Cup is on pace to be a climate catastropheJules BoykoffThe 2022 World Cup failed to deliver on its environmental promises.
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