World Cup 2026 Carbon Emissions: 7.8 Million Tons, Double Qatar 2022, No FIFA Target

The 2026 FIFA World Cup across the US, Canada, and Mexico is projected to emit 7.8 million metric tons of CO2, more than double the 2022 Qatar tournament, according to carbon accounting firm Greenly. About 87% of emissions come from travel, especially flights, as the expanded 48-team, 104-match format spreads across 16 cities spanning 2,800 miles. FIFA pledged to halve emissions by 2030 but set no specific carbon target for this event. Independent estimates range from 7.8 to 9 million tons, with the gap reflecting different methodologies. Unlike Qatar, which required new stadium construction, North America reused existing venues, yet still produced higher emissions due to the travel footprint. The tournament's digital infrastructure, including streaming and data centers, adds uncounted energy demand. The article highlights the tension between the event's global reach and its climate cost, with no FIFA carbon budget published.