Thirteen of the sixteen stadiums hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup have earned LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, with ten certified since 2024. The certified venues have installed over 11,500 solar panels, will save more than 100 million gallons of potable water annually, and have eliminated over 5 million single-use plastics per year. Four stadiums are reusing, recycling, or composting nearly all waste. FIFA has committed to reducing emissions 50% by 2030 and reaching net-zero by 2040, and using existing stadiums avoids construction-related carbon pollution. However, scientists warn the tournament will still be the most polluting World Cup ever due to air travel across North America and expansion to 48 teams, generating an estimated 9 million metric tons of carbon pollution.
