World Cup 2026: The Energy Use of FIFA’s Largest Tournament
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which kicked off this week (11 June), will span three countries, 16 cities and 104 matches.
It could become the most carbon-intensive World Cup in history, according to environmental analysts.
Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR) believe the event could generate around nine million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in total emissions.
This is nearly double the historical average for tournaments between 2010 and 2022.
The carbon footprint is roughly equal to 6.5 million average British cars being driven for an entire year.
The expanded format includes 48 teams for the first time, up from 32 in 2022. This represents a 50% increase in the number of participating nations and adds 40 additional matches to the schedule.
The geographical spread of host cities stretches from Vancouver in the north to Mexico City in the south, and from the Pacific coast to the Atlantic seaboard.
This vast distance between venues creates unprecedented logistical challenges for teams, officials and supporters travelling between matches.
Air travel will account for a substantial portion of emissions due to the geographical spread across the US, Canada and Mexico.
Teams progressing deep into the tournament could travel thousands of miles between group stage matches and knockout rounds.
FIFA acknowledges that air travel is a significant contributor to the overall footprint of any major event, noting that "it is clear that reducing emissions linked to flights is one of the biggest sustainability challenges major event organisers face".
The organisation has explored alternatives including carbon offset programmes and sustainable aviation fuel initiatives.
However, the sheer scale of movement required across three countries makes meaningful reductions difficult to achieve within the current tournament structure.
Existing infrastructure reduces construction emissions
The North American hosts are using entirely existing stadiums rather than building new infrastructure.
This approach differs from tournaments in Qatar and Russia, which required purpose-built venues.
The decision eliminates carbon-intensive construction and avoids venues standing empty after the tournament ends. Several host stadiums have invested in renewable energy systems in recent years.
All 16 host venues are established facilities with existing transport links and hospitality infrastructure.
This includes iconic stadiums such as MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey, SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, which will become the first venue to host three separate World Cup tournaments
Making use of NFL stadiums
The reuse of existing infrastructure represents a significant departure from recent World Cup hosting strategies.
Qatar 2022 required the construction of seven new stadiums, whilst Russia 2018 saw the construction or substantial renovation of 12 venues for the tournament.
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, typically used for NFL games, will host eight matches including a semi-final.
The venue is the first professional sports venue in North America to earn LEED Platinum certification, the highest possible standard for sustainable building design.
More than 4,000 solar panels on campus generate around 1.6 million kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity a year.
The stadium has reduced overall electrical use by 29% through energy-efficient design.
A four-million-litre underground cistern captures rainwater for cooling and irrigation.
The system reduces demand on municipal water supplies whilst providing a sustainable source for maintaining the playing surface and surrounding landscape.
Arthur Blank, the Owner of the Atlanta Falcons, says of the venue: "We set out to build a venue that would not only exceed expectations but also push the limits of what was possible in terms of stadium design, fan experience and sustainability."
The stadium's retractable roof features a distinctive petal design that minimises the building's environmental impact when open.
Natural ventilation reduces the need for air conditioning during suitable weather conditions.
Houston pledges renewable electricity
In Texas, Houston's host committee has pledged to supply all main official tournament sites with 100% renewable electricity.
The commitment covers NRG Stadium and other venues in the city.
The pledge is notable given Houston's position as the energy capital of the US.
The city is home to the headquarters of many of the world's largest oil and gas companies.
NRG Stadium, home of the Houston Texans NFL team, will host six matches during the tournament, including fixtures from the round of 32 onwards.
The venue has a seating capacity of more than 72,000 for football fans.
Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, meanwhile, transitioned to 100% carbon-free electricity ahead of Super Bowl LVIII in 2024.
The venue sources renewable energy from the Copper Mountain Solar facility located approximately 40km south of the city.
Other host cities are following a similar approach for the World Cup.
However, the effectiveness of renewable energy credits as a climate solution remains debated among environmental scientists and campaigners.
Aramco partnership raises questions
FIFA's climate strategy, published in 2021, pledges to cut the organisation's emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2040.
Environmental campaigners have questioned the commercial programme for this tournament.
Saudi Aramco is FIFA's exclusive energy partner under a four-year deal signed in 2024. The agreement is reportedly worth US$100m per year.
According to S&P Global, the Saudi state-owned oil giant accounts for 9-11% of global oil production.
The company produced 13.6 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2023.
Amin H. Nasser, its CEO, has argued that the world should continue investing in oil and gas rather than pursue accelerated phase-out timelines.
This position stands in direct opposition to recommendations from climate scientists regarding the pace of fossil fuel phase-out required to meet Paris Agreement targets.
The company has stated that its partnership with FIFA aligns with its goal of providing reliable energy to communities worldwide. Critics argue the partnership contradicts FIFA's green commitments.
The sponsorship deal has drawn criticism from climate activists, football supporters' groups and human rights organisations.
Several national football associations have faced pressure from environmental campaigners to speak out against the arrangement.
Steve Cockburn, Amnesty's Head of Economic and Social Justice, is critical of the firm's involvement.
"Saudi Aramco, one of the world's biggest fossil fuel producers, last year posted the largest annual profit ever made by a company of more than US$161bn," he explains.
"Amnesty International has urged that income from Aramco should not be deployed to finance human rights abuses, cover them up, or try and gloss over them through sports washing."
The partnership extends beyond the 2026 World Cup to include the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil.
This longer-term commitment suggests FIFA views the relationship as strategically important despite the environmental concerns raised.
Energy questions persist
The tournament's energy strategy presents a mixed picture of renewable commitments and fossil fuel partnerships.
Host venues demonstrate progress in on-site generation and renewable procurement.
However, the Aramco partnership and the scale of air travel emissions could undermine these efforts.
The question of how to balance spectacle with sustainability remains unresolved.
The tournament also faces scrutiny over fan travel patterns.
Supporters following their teams across multiple cities could generate substantial additional emissions beyond official tournament operations. FIFA's carbon accounting methodology has been questioned for potentially excluding certain categories of indirect emissions.
The energy implications will continue to play out beneath the surface throughout the tournament.
The opening match took place at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium, with the final scheduled for MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey on 19 July.
Between now and then, the world's attention will focus on the football, whilst the environmental legacy of this expanded format will only become clear in the years that follow.
