Thirteen of the sixteen stadiums hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup have earned LEED certification, the most widely used green building rating system. The certified venues installed over 11,500 solar panels, will save more than 100 million gallons of potable water annually, and eliminated over 5 million single-use plastics. Four stadiums are diverting nearly all waste from landfills through reuse, recycling, and composting programs. Older venues like Mexico City's Estadio Azteca, built 60 years ago, achieved the highest LEED tier by reducing indoor water use by 36% and energy use by nearly 45% through efficient fixtures, HVAC upgrades, and new lighting. The U.S. Green Building Council notes LEED-certified buildings typically use about 25% less energy and 10% less water than conventional buildings. Despite these venue-level improvements, scientists project this World Cup will generate over 9 million metric tons of carbon pollution, mainly from air travel across North America and the expanded 48-team format. FIFA has committed to reducing emissions by 50% by 2030 and reaching net-zero by 2040.
