2026 World Cup carbon emissions: The dark side of the greatest show on earth
Fifa has committed to halving emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2040 through its Climate Strategy.
The 2026 Fifa World Cup is expected to generate more than double the carbon emissions of Qatar 2022, with an estimated 7.8 million tonnes of CO₂e, according to estimates by Greenly, a widely cited carbon accounting platform.
As a result, it is expected to become the most carbon-intensive tournament in World Cup history.
Though Fifa has committed to halving emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2040 through its Climate Strategy, the rising carbon footprint of the 2026 tournament raises an important question: can these targets be achieved?
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While the 2026 tournament has yet to announce a dedicated carbon offset programme, Fifa has previously used measures such as reforestation projects and certified emissions reduction schemes to compensate for the environmental impact of its tournaments.
Previous initiatives have included tree-planting projects in the Colombian Andes during the Fifa U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011, certified low-carbon social development projects that compensated for 2,51,000 tonnes of operational emissions during Brazil 2014, and measures to offset selected emissions from fan travel and tournament operations during Qatar 2022.
Meanwhile, scrutiny of Fifa's sustainability commitments has intensified, particularly over its partnership with major fossil fuel producer Aramco, one of the world's largest corporate carbon emitters.
The relationship has fuelled debate over whether the organisation's environmental promises can keep pace with the realities of an expanding World Cup.
Looking ahead, the 2030 tournament will span six countries across three continents, increasing travel-related emissions, while the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia will require extensive new infrastructure, potentially making future editions even more carbon-intensive than 2026.
Fifa's one-month emissions exceed annual emissions of several small countries
In a worst-case scenario, the figure could rise to 13.7 million tonnes of CO₂e, surpassing the annual emissions of countries such as Albania, Iceland, Bhutan, and the Maldives, according to the 2025 GHG Emissions of All World Countries report.
The tournament could also emit more carbon than countries such as Curaçao and Cabo Verde, producing around 3.1 times Curaçao's annual emissions and 8.6 times Cabo Verde's, both of which have qualified for the 2026 World Cup.
The tournament ran on jet fuel, not stadiums
Unlike Qatar, where emissions were driven largely by stadium construction, the 2026 World Cup's environmental footprint has been shaped by movement.
Spread across three countries and vast geographical distances, the tournament has turned air travel into its largest source of emissions, accounting for around 88% of its total carbon footprint, according to estimates by Greenly, whose research has been cited by media outlets including Reuters, Al Jazeera, and The Economic Times.
Consequently, the distances involved have created unprecedented travel demands. Algeria, for example, travelled around 4,800 km between matches, while supporters following Bosnia and Herzegovina covered more than 5,000 km during the group stage alone.
These travel demands have been amplified by the tournament's expansion. Compared with Qatar 2022, the World Cup has grown from 32 teams and 64 matches to 48 teams and 104 matches, while attendance is expected to rise by up to 76% to six million spectators.
As a result, the average international fan is projected to travel around 19,400 km for a return journey, roughly 6,400 km farther than the average recorded during Qatar 2022.
On the other hand, team flights, waste, media, and broadcasting each contribute less than 1% of total emissions, while stadium-related emissions account for only 2.3%.
The wider impact of a bigger World Cup
Beyond the emissions figures, the consequences of a larger World Cup may extend far beyond the tournament itself.
The Guardian described the 2026 event as a potential "climate catastrophe", warning that its heavy reliance on air travel could further contribute to global warming.
In turn, the changing climate could affect the tournament itself. Climate experts have warned that extreme heat and humidity during North American summers could push some matches beyond safe conditions for physical activity, increasing the risk of heat stress and dehydration for players, staff, and supporters.
As tournaments continue to expand in scale and reach, reducing emissions may become as important to Fifa's legacy as success on the pitch.
