Will the 2026 World Cup generate record pollution? Here's what a study says.

Between the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up to be a massive spectacle. But there's a price to pay, and it's not just sporting. A new study raises the alarm: it will be a record- breaking edition: pollution . We're talking about a sobering environmental impact that risks setting a dangerous record.

2026 World Cup: Record-breaking pollution on the horizon? Research explains.

The World Cup is expanding, from 32 to 48 teams, and with them the number of matches: from 54 to 104. Three countries involved, dozens of flights. All of this translates into an exponential increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Environmentalists at Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR) have calculated that the impact will be equivalent to over nine million tons of CO2. A huge, frightening number. A new pollution record ? For comparison, Qatar 2022—already under scrutiny—produced approximately 5.25 million tons.

This equates to pollution equivalent to that of 6.5 million cars driving around for an entire year. This comparison helps understand the scale of the issue. The research , conducted in conjunction with the Environmental Defense Fund and the Sport for Climate Action Network, also highlights another fact: the estimated impact during the candidacy phase (3.6 million tons) was much lower, but was based on a smaller number of matches. The actual figures have increased as the tournament has expanded.

A positive development? There will be no new stadiums to build, a significant advantage for reducing emissions. And FIFA promises to achieve zero emissions by 2040. But in the meantime, the cost could be very high.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup and the environmental impact of global football

But the problem isn't just the 2026 tournament. Global football is a major polluter, producing between 64 and 66 million tons of CO2 every year. This is according to the Dirty Tackle study by the New Weather Institute, which examines the entire system: from major events like the Club World Cup in the US, to the new Champions League with more matches, to the influence of "polluting" sponsors on fans' lifestyles.

To put it bluntly: it's as if the entire football system burned 150 million barrels of oil a year. A huge amount, one that few consider when it comes to sport and passion. The 2026 World Cup , in short, is just the tip of the iceberg. Behind it lies a much larger problem, one that calls on everyone to reflect. And act. Before it's too late.