World Cup 2026 projected as most polluting, near 8 million tonnes of emissions | OneFootball

World Cup 2026 across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with 48 teams, is projected to be the most polluting edition on record. L'Équipe reports that carbon-footprint estimates reach 7.8 MtCO2e, more than double Qatar 2022's declared total.

The North American bid originally put the figure at 3.6 MtCO2e, omitting supporter travel despite 16 host cities and a format later expanded to 104 matches. Greenly, a carbon-accounting firm, estimates travel, mostly by air, will account for 87% of emissions.

Its co-founder Alexis Normand says they used existing event carbon audits and comparable data, and argues organisers should not decide what to include. He believes FIFA shows significant immaturity on methodology.

A study by the New Weather Institute indicates emissions could hit 9 MtCO2e, in line with CNRS climate scientist Davide Faranda, who puts the average between 7 and 8 with a high scenario of 9. He said there is no doubt a record will be set, calling the initial estimate far off and something FIFA could have roughly calculated.

FIFA pledged at COP26 to halve its emissions by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2040 under the UN’s Sports for Climate Action. In 2023, Switzerland’s Commission for Loyalty upheld complaints from five NGOs alleging greenwashing during Qatar 2022. Normand contends the body is shirking responsibility, noting that four years from its halving target, emissions are instead doubling.

No improvement appears likely with 2030 due to span three continents and a mooted expansion to 64 nations. Faranda quips that electric planes will not arrive by then, and says the priority seems to be media impact and sponsors, not cutting the footprint.

Source: L'Équipe