The 2026 World Cup is projected to be the most polluting sporting event in history, with CO2 emissions estimated between five and nine million tonnes. This surge is driven by the expansion to 48 teams and the vast geographic distance between host cities in the US, Canada, and Mexico, which forces massive increases in air travel for fans and athletes. While previous tournaments faced criticism for stadium construction, the 2026 event highlights the climate cost of logistics and scale. Experts argue that the drive for revenue and growth contradicts global climate goals, as the carbon footprint of international matches far exceeds that of national competitions.
