With just eight months to go until the FIFA 2026 World Cup, excitement is building for the largest football tournament in history, but so too is concern over its environmental impact.
Set to take place across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the expanded 48-team World Cup will feature 104 matches, 40 more than previous editions. While FIFA has touted the event as a “global celebration of football,” critics warn it may instead become the most carbon-intensive sporting event ever held.
Dr Madeleine Orr, a leading sport ecology expert at the University of Toronto, believes the tournament “sends a dangerous message” about FIFA’s priorities. “It’s completely misaligned with the promises they’ve made publicly to reduce emissions,” she said. “At this point, it’s damage control.”
According to research from Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR), the 2026 edition could generate over nine million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, more than any previous World Cup. Much of that footprint comes from extensive travel across the continent, with teams, fans, and media expected to cover thousands of miles between venues.
The tournament could also be among the hottest on record. Fourteen of the 16 host cities are considered vulnerable to extreme heat during the summer months. Dr Orr warns that midday matches could become “virtually unplayable,” noting that player safety is only part of the issue. “I’m not worried about the athletes,” she said. “I worry about 45,000 to 85,000 fans, plus thousands of staff and media, exposed to dangerous conditions for long hours.”
FIFA has hinted it may adjust kick-off times and use roofed stadiums to mitigate risks, but has not yet revealed firm plans. When contacted by BBC Sport, the governing body declined to comment on its sustainability strategy or contingency measures for extreme weather.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino acknowledged that climate change could force the organisation to rethink the global football calendar. Speaking in Rome earlier this month, he said, “Even to play in some European countries in July, it’s very, very hot. Maybe we have to think. We just have to keep an open mind.”
Players have already experienced the effects of rising temperatures. During this summer’s Club World Cup in the United States, record-breaking heat caused delays and exhaustion. Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández described the conditions during a 35°C semi-final in New Jersey as “very dangerous.”
BBC weather expert Simon King warns that the 2026 World Cup could surpass USA 1994 — previously the hottest on record. “In June 2023, heat indices reached 50°C in Monterrey and 44°C in Miami,” King said. “With climate change increasing the likelihood of heatwaves, it’s plausible that 2026 could be the hottest World Cup yet.”
Footballers themselves are becoming more outspoken. David Wheeler, the Professional Footballers’ Association’s Sustainability Champion, says climate concerns are now “a lot more obvious” to players. “Unfortunately, major governing bodies aren’t taking that responsibility seriously,” he told the BBC. “They don’t deserve to profit from the sport if they’re not using their power to protect it.”
Real Betis defender Héctor Bellerín, known for his environmental activism, echoed that frustration after receiving the BBC Green Sport Award. “It’s hard,” he said. “We players feel like we’re treated as marketable goods — more games, more travel, tougher conditions. We’re just told to hydrate.”
Bellerín believes meaningful change requires collective action. “Unless footballers unite and take bold decisions, the wheel will just keep turning,” he said.
As the countdown to 2026 continues, the debate around football’s environmental footprint grows louder. The World Cup may once again capture the world’s attention — but this time, it’s not just the action on the pitch that people will be watching.
