As the anticipation builds for the FIFA World Cup set to take place in June 2026 across North America, a significant transformation is on the horizon. With 48 teams participating, a record-setting number, the tournament will unfold across multiple venues in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. This represents a dramatic increase from previous tournaments, with the number of matches rising from 64 to an astonishing 104. The event is projected to generate over $10 billion in revenue, attracting millions of sports fans eager to witness the world's most celebrated football competition.

However, the expansion of the tournament comes with a host of environmental concerns, as the increased travel and activities associated with the event contribute to climate change. The implications of hosting such a massive sporting event are complex, placing the industry in a precarious position as it grapples with the realities of a warming planet.

A Sustainability Conundrum

The impact of climate change on sports is becoming increasingly evident. Rising global temperatures pose risks to athletes' health, particularly during summer heat waves, while winter sports seasons are getting shorter. Many of the venues for the 2026 World Cup are likely to experience intense heat during the June and early July tournament period, raising concerns about player safety and overall event viability.

The response from the sports community is divided. Some athletes are vocal about the need for more sustainable practices and are urging lawmakers to take action against climate-warming emissions. Conversely, the sports industry continues to push for growth and revenue maximization, with organizations like the NCAA even contemplating an expansion of its March Madness basketball tournament from 68 teams to potentially 76 teams.

Experts project that the expanded 2026 World Cup could produce over 9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, nearly doubling average emissions observed during the last four World Cups. A significant portion of this increase is attributed to air travel, as fans and athletes travel between various event cities, often situated thousands of miles apart.

A Lot of Money is at Stake

The financial stakes are high, given that sports are a lucrative business. The addition of more matches in events like the World Cup and NCAA tournaments is likely to unlock larger media rights contracts and greater ticket sales, thereby boosting overall revenues. These financial incentives create compelling pressures to prioritize profit over environmental considerations.

In particular, the NCAA faces additional pressures following the House v. NCAA settlement, which allows for revenue sharing with athletes. This shift is expected to drive up costs for many college sports programs, making the potential for increased television revenue and fan attendance particularly appealing.

When Climate Promises Become Greenwashing

The inherent tension between maximizing profitability through growth and minimizing environmental impact presents a significant dilemma for sports organizations. Several sporting bodies have made pledges to reduce their climate impact, joining initiatives like the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework. However, as the scale of tournaments expands, meeting these commitments becomes increasingly challenging. In some instances, organizations have faced accusations of greenwashing, where their sustainability claims are perceived as more public relations strategies rather than genuine attempts at reducing environmental harm.

A case in point is FIFA’s assertion of hosting a “fully carbon-neutral” World Cup in Qatar in 2022, which faced scrutiny from European nations alleging that the organization underestimated its emissions. The Swiss Fairness Commission examined these claims and found them to lack substantiation.

Aviation is frequently identified as the largest contributor to emissions in sporting events. Research conducted on the NCAA men’s basketball tournament indicated that approximately 80% of its emissions were tied to travel, even after the NCAA implemented a pod system aimed at keeping teams closer to home during the early rounds of the tournament.

Finding Practical Solutions

In light of the escalating emissions linked to sporting events, some academics have proposed radical ideas, such as abolishing commercialized sports or severely limiting spectator attendance to local fans. While these proposals address sustainability concerns, they are not realistic solutions and do not align with the growing popularity of sports, particularly women's sports, which also require increased participation and, consequently, a larger environmental footprint.

Another complicating factor is the extent of fan travel, which often falls outside the direct control of sports organizations or event planners. During the 2018 men's World Cup in Russia, over 840,000 fans came from abroad to attend matches, with significant numbers from countries like the U.S., Mexico, China, and Argentina.

While some argue that distributing events across multiple cities, as seen in March Madness or the World Cup, could lessen the burden on a single location, this does not necessarily equate to a reduction in overall environmental impact, particularly regarding climate change.

How Fans Can Cut Their Environmental Footprint

In response to these challenges, sports organizations and event planners are encouraged to adopt more sustainable practices and promote eco-friendly choices among fans. For instance, fans can minimize their environmental impact by avoiding air travel for shorter distances. Instead of flying between nearby FIFA venues in cities like Philadelphia, New York, and Boston, fans could opt for carpooling or taking Amtrak trains. Although airplanes are typically more efficient for long distances, air travel remains a significant contributor to carbon emissions.

While in host cities, utilizing public transportation or renting electric vehicles and bicycles can also help reduce emissions. Fans might also consider choosing sustainable accommodations, such as short-term rentals that have a lower environmental footprint than traditional hotels or certified green hotels that prioritize efficient energy and water use.

Engaging in sustainable practices during pregame and postgame activities is equally important. Fans can select local, sustainable food options and make an effort to minimize waste wherever possible. Additionally, attendees have the option to pay for carbon offsets when attending sporting events, similar to the trends observed at music festivals. While the effectiveness of offsets is often debated, they reflect a growing awareness of personal environmental impacts.

As the sports industry strives to mitigate its environmental footprint and encourage sustainability among fans, it faces a formidable challenge. Achieving a sustainable balance will necessitate a strategic and sincere commitment from both sports organizations and their supporters, emphasizing the need to prioritize long-term ecological well-being alongside economic interests.