The 2026 World Cup is projected to become the most environmentally damaging sporting event in history, with an estimated carbon footprint close to 9 million tonnes of CO2. This amount is nearly twice the combined emissions of the last four tournaments, highlighting the significant environmental toll of such a large-scale event. The extensive logistics and global scale of the competition are major contributors to this high level of pollution.
Environmental experts emphasize the challenges this poses for the sustainability of major international sports events amid the growing climate crisis. The projected environmental impact has sparked discussions about the future of hosting such mega-events and the responsibility of organizers to address ecological concerns. The focus is increasingly on finding ways to minimize the long-term environmental damage caused by large global gatherings like the World Cup.