New research shows which World Cup countries perform the best and worst when it comes to their environmental efforts

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·24 Juni 2026

New research shows which World Cup countries perform the best and worst when it comes to their environmental efforts

New research from the University of Reading has discovered which of the nations competing at the World Cup come out on top, and which do not, when it comes to their environmental efforts.

The Real Scoreline compares countries using climate indicators including emissions, fossil fuel dependence, heat stress, projected warming and net-zero commitments to produce a single score out of 99 that reveals how nations compare.

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Created with the University of Reading’s world-leading climate and weather experts, the data is demonstrated through virtual playing cards.

And they have discovered that Paraguay lead the way with their environmental performance…

The top five

Paraguay (75) scores highest of all 48 nations, with low carbon emissions per person, stable projected rainfall and an ambitious net zero target of 2030

England (73) and Scotland (73) score identically, sharing climate data as part of the United Kingdom. Both score well for low heat stress and stable projected temperatures, though high fossil fuel dependency holds them back

New Zealand (72) benefits from relatively low projected warming and among the lowest heat stress of any competing nation, though its per-capita emissions remain a drag on its score

Austria (71) stands out for having one of the most stable projected rainfall patterns of any competing nation and a net-zero target of 2040, earlier than most

The bottom five

Iran (33) faces severe projected warming and is almost entirely dependent on fossil fuels, which account for 98% of its energy

Iraq (30) shares similarly stark figures, with near-total fossil fuel dependency and among the most severe projected warming and rainfall disruption in the tournament

USA (26) produces over 14 tonnes of carbon emissions per person and is the only competing nation with no net-zero target at all

Qatar (24) has the highest carbon emissions per person of any nation in the tournament at 40 tonnes, more than double its nearest rival, and is almost entirely fossil fuel dependent

Saudi Arabia (7) scores lowest of all 48 nations, combining the most severe projected warming, the highest fossil fuel dependency and a net zero target not until 2060

Professor Hannah Cloke, regius professor in meteorology and climate science at the University of Reading, said: “This summer’s football may be remembered for more than just the goals. Extreme heat will affect how players perform on the pitch, and the millions of spectators making the trip will feel it too.

“Off the pitch, competing nations face no easy draws. Some countries are already paying the climate penalty, and there is little extra time left to act.

“Climate change is one of the defining challenges facing every country, but it can often feel distant or difficult to relate to. The Real Scoreline takes robust climate data and presents it in a way that is familiar to fans all over the world, inviting everyone to compare countries, debate rankings and engage with one of the most important issues facing all of us.

“If fans start talking about The Real Scoreline this summer, starting climate conversations in the pub, at home, wherever they are watching, that is a result worth having.”

The Real Scoreline climate performance cards are available to download via rdg.ac/therealscoreline. Each card is emblazoned with University of Reading climate stripes, a series of vertical coloured bars, showing the progressive heating of each country.