2026 World Cup Expected to Be Most Polluting Ever, With Emissions More Than Double Qatar's
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, expanding to 48 teams across Canada, Mexico, and the US, is projected to generate 7.8 million tonnes of CO2—more than double the 2022 Qatar tournament's 3.8 million tonnes. The dramatic increase is driven primarily by travel across the three-country, 16-city format, with flights accounting for approximately 87% of emissions. The expansion highlights tensions between growing global participation in football and climate commitments, as FIFA pledged to reach net zero by 2040 but has set no specific carbon target for the tournament.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the most carbon-intensive World Cup ever held, according to a carbon accounting assessment by Greenly that estimates 7.8 million tonnes of CO2 emissions—equivalent to annual emissions from 1.7 million cars or the yearly output of Sierra Leone. The tournament's enlarged format, featuring 48 teams (up from 32) spread across 16 cities spanning 4,506 kilometers from Vancouver to Miami, creates unavoidable travel demands that dwarf the environmental cost of Qatar 2022, which generated 3.8 million tonnes despite building seven new stadiums. Researchers estimate that 87% of emissions will come from travel, particularly international flights for teams, fans, and media. While FIFA avoided constructing new stadiums this time, the geographic dispersion and increased participation shifted rather than eliminated environmental costs. FIFA has committed to halving carbon emissions by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2040 under the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework, but has not established specific targets for the World Cup itself. The organization points to mitigation efforts including use of existing stadiums, public transport encouragement, and waste reduction initiatives, though experts note these measures address only portions of the tournament's footprint.
What's missing
The article does not provide details on the specific methodologies used by Greenly in its carbon accounting assessment, including scope boundaries (e.g., whether Scope 3 emissions from accommodation, food, and merchandise are included) or uncertainty ranges in the 7.8 million tonne estimate. Additionally, while the article mentions a digital footprint as 'massive,' it does not quantify this component or explain its calculation.
What different sources said
- The Straits TimesCenter
Climate cost of expanded World Cup under scrutiny as emissions set to soar
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