FIFA's Climate Blind Spot: Men's World Cup Warming World

The report finds that expanding the World Cup to 48 teams will significantly increase GHG emissions, with air transport emissions estimated to rise by 160% to 325% for the 2026, 2030, and 2034 tournaments. It estimates the 2026 World Cup in North America will produce at least 9.0 million tCO2e, while the FIFA-Aramco sponsorship deal could induce an additional 30 million tCO2e. Furthermore, a risk assessment of the 16 stadiums for the 2026 event reveals that half require immediate environmental intervention, with six facing extreme heat stress.

• Expanding the World Cup Finals from 32 to 48 teams starting in 2026 is projected to cause a substantial increase in greenhouse gas emissions, specifically with air transport emissions estimated to rise between 160% and 325% for the 2026, 2030, and 2034 tournaments compared to recent averages.
• The report estimates specific carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) emissions for upcoming tournaments: at least 9.0 million tCO2e for 2026 in North America (a 92% increase), 6.1 million tCO2e for the 2030 Spanish-led Finals (a 29% increase), and 8.6 million tCO2e for the 2034 Finals in Saudi Arabia (an 82% increase). These figures could be 40%-70% higher when accounting for the global heating potential of air travel.
• The sponsorship agreement between FIFA and Aramco for the 2026 men's World Cup Finals is estimated to induce approximately 30 million tCO2e in additional emissions due to increased fossil fuel sales.
• A Climate Emergency Risk Assessment of the 16 stadiums for the 2026 World Cup indicates that 8 stadiums need immediate environmental intervention, 4 require critical intervention, and 6 face extreme heat stress with a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature exceeding 26.7°C/80°F.

APA

Parkinson, D. S., Ali, S., & Daley, F. (2025). FIFA's Climate Blind Spot: Men's World Cup Warming World. Scientists for Global Responsibility. https://www.sgr.org.uk/publications/fifa-s-climate-blind-spot-men-s-world-cup-warming-world

Chicago

Parkinson, Dr Stuart, Samran Ali, and Freddie Daley. FIFA's Climate Blind Spot: Men's World Cup Warming World. Scientists for Global Responsibility, 2025. https://www.sgr.org.uk/publications/fifa-s-climate-blind-spot-men-s-world-cup-warming-world.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Parkinson |first1=Dr Stuart |last2=Ali |first2=Samran |last3=Daley |first3=Freddie |title=FIFA's Climate Blind Spot: Men's World Cup Warming World |publisher=Scientists for Global Responsibility |date=1 July 2025 |url=https://www.sgr.org.uk/publications/fifa-s-climate-blind-spot-men-s-world-cup-warming-world |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{parkinson2025fifas, author = {Parkinson, Dr Stuart and Ali, Samran and Daley, Freddie}, title = {{FIFA's Climate Blind Spot: Men's World Cup Warming World}}, institution = {Scientists for Global Responsibility}, year = {2025}, month = jul, url = {https://www.sgr.org.uk/publications/fifa-s-climate-blind-spot-men-s-world-cup-warming-world}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }