The 2026 FIFA World Cup across the US, Canada, and Mexico is projected to generate nearly 7.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, more than double the emissions reported for Qatar 2022. The expanded tournament with 48 teams and 104 matches means more flights, more travel between host cities separated by thousands of kilometers, and a much larger carbon footprint than any previous World Cup. FIFA has launched its most ambitious sustainability program yet, using existing stadiums and committing to net-zero by 2040. But critics argue carbon offsets cannot erase the impact of millions of long-haul flights. The article details how air travel alone will account for the largest share of emissions, and why environmental groups remain unconvinced that offsets are enough.
