FIFA World Cup May Become Most Polluting Sporting Event

ISLAMABAD: (Web Desk) – Environmental experts have warned that this summer’s FIFA World Cup 2026 could become the most polluting sporting event in history due to its expanded format, multiple host countries, and massive travel requirements.

Researchers from the University of Lausanne estimate that the tournament could generate between five and nine million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, significantly higher than previous global sporting events. By comparison, the Paris 2024 Olympics were estimated to produce around 1.75 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.

The 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams for the first time and will be jointly hosted by United States, Canada, and Mexico. Experts say the expanded tournament structure and the enormous distances between venues are key contributors to the expected environmental impact.

According to geographer David Gogishvili, air travel remains the biggest source of emissions during major international sporting events. Distances between host cities such as Miami and Vancouver exceed 4,500 kilometers, increasing the need for extensive flights involving teams, officials, media personnel, and millions of fans.

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Researchers noted that although all 16 stadiums selected for the tournament already existed before hosting rights were awarded, the environmental gains from avoiding new construction are outweighed by transportation-related emissions.

Environmental analysts also criticized FIFA for continuing to expand its competitions despite climate concerns. FIFA recently increased the men’s World Cup from 32 to 48 teams and expanded the Club World Cup from seven to 32 teams.

Experts from the New Weather Institute stated that a single World Cup match during the final stages could generate between 44,000 and 72,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions — equivalent to the annual emissions produced by tens of thousands of cars.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has previously pledged to measure, reduce, and offset emissions linked to FIFA tournaments. However, critics point out that FIFA faced criticism in 2023 after Swiss authorities ruled that claims regarding the “climate neutrality” of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar were misleading.

Concerns are also growing over future tournaments. The 2030 FIFA World Cup will be held across six countries on three continents, while the 2034 edition is scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia, raising additional questions about long-distance travel and climate impact.