The 2026 FIFA World Cup is projected to be the most carbon-intensive tournament ever, with an estimated 3.7 million tons of CO2e emissions according to analysis by Good Vision. This exceeds the 2022 Qatar World Cup (3.63 million tons) and earlier tournaments in Russia and Brazil. The expansion to 48 teams and 104 matches, plus hosting across Canada, the US, and Mexico, drives massive air travel for teams and fans. Some host stadiums have adopted green measures like passive cooling and high waste diversion rates, but these are unlikely to offset the overall increase. The switch from artificial turf to water-intensive natural grass in several venues adds further environmental strain. The report highlights a fundamental tension between tournament growth and climate commitments, as more matches and cross-continental travel push emissions higher despite localized sustainability efforts.
