A new report from Greenleigh estimates the 2026 FIFA World Cup could generate 7.8 million tons of CO2, more than double the 3.8 million tons from the 2022 Qatar tournament. The main driver is travel: 87 percent of emissions will come from air and ground transport as teams, fans, and media move across 16 cities in three countries spanning 4,600 kilometers from Vancouver to Miami. The expanded 48-team format adds to the carbon cost, even without new stadium construction. England fans face the longest group-stage travel at 2,770 kilometers. The article also highlights the often overlooked digital footprint from broadcasting and streaming, with each match potentially adding 600 megawatts to electricity demand in the UK. FIFA pledged at COP26 to halve emissions by 2030 and reach net zero by 2040, but has not set a specific target for this World Cup. The report underscores the tension between tournament growth and climate commitments.
