Expanded 2026 World Cup could emit 7.8 million tons of CO2
Why it matters: Researchers estimate about 87% of the tournament’s emissions will come from flights across the US, Mexico and Canada.
The 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada is on track to become the most polluting edition of the tournament yet, with an estimated 7.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. The forecast, reported by Greenly and cited by academics and campaigners, is more than double the footprint calculated for Qatar 2022. Analysts say the expansion to 48 teams and 104 matches across 16 cities drives the increase, even without building new stadiums. Much of the impact comes from long-distance travel, with researchers estimating 87% of emissions will come from flights by teams, media and fans moving across North America. FIFA has pledged to cut emissions by 2030 and reach net zero by 2040, but it has not set a World Cup-specific carbon target.