With just eight months to go before the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, environmental experts, players, and fan groups are raising alarm over the tournament’s massive carbon footprint and potential climate risks.
The expanded World Cup — the first to feature 48 teams and 104 matches — is being hailed as the biggest sporting event in history. But critics say it could also become the most carbon-intensive event ever, contradicting FIFA’s pledges to make football more sustainable.
Dr. Madeleine Orr, a leading sport and climate researcher at the University of Toronto, warned that FIFA’s pursuit of scale “sends a dangerous message” about prioritising expansion over environmental responsibility.
“It’s completely misaligned with the promises they’ve made publicly to reduce emissions,” she told BBC Sport. “At this point, it’s damage control.”
According to a study by Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR), the 2026 tournament could emit more than nine million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, surpassing all previous editions in environmental impact.
Fourteen of the 16 host cities are also expected to face extreme heat during the competition, raising health and safety concerns for players, fans, and officials.
“I’m not just worried about athletes,” Dr. Orr said. “I worry about 85,000 fans, staff, and media who will be exposed to dangerous heat for hours. There’s no clear plan yet on how to keep people safe.”
FIFA declined to respond to detailed questions about its sustainability measures, but President Gianni Infantino recently admitted that extreme heat could force football to reconsider its global calendar.
“Even in Europe, July is becoming very hot,” Infantino said. “We may need to think and optimise the calendar. We must keep an open mind.”
The dangers of playing in high temperatures are already well documented. England’s Rachel Daly was hospitalised for heat exhaustion during a 2017 match in Houston, while players at this year’s Club World Cup in the US endured record temperatures and lightning delays.
Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández described the conditions as “very dangerous” after a semi-final in New Jersey reached over 35°C at kick-off.
Climate experts warn next summer could be worse. The BBC’s senior weather forecaster Simon King noted that the 2026 tournament may surpass the record 41°C heat seen during USA 1994.
“In 2023, parts of Texas and Mexico saw heat indexes near 50°C,” King said. “Climate change increases the odds that 2026 could be the hottest World Cup on record.”
Former Wycombe Wanderers midfielder David Wheeler, now the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Sustainability Champion, said players are becoming increasingly aware of the issue.
“It’s obvious to players that the climate is changing,” Wheeler said. “Unfortunately, I don’t think governing bodies are taking their responsibility seriously. They shouldn’t profit from sport if they’re not using their power for good.”
Real Betis defender Héctor Bellerín, an outspoken advocate for sustainability, echoed those concerns after being named Global Champion at the BBC Green Sport Awards.
“There’s more travel, more games, more difficult conditions — and we’re just told to hydrate,” Bellerín said. “Unless players unite and take bold action, the wheel will keep turning.”
As the countdown to 2026 continues, the world’s biggest football celebration risks becoming a defining moment — not just for the sport, but for how it confronts its role in the global climate crisis.
