The use of existing facilities also reduces the risk of so-called white elephants, venues that, once the event is over, remain underused, generating economic and environmental costs for local communities. FIFA has accompanied this decision with a broader Sustainability and Human Rights Strategy, which involves host cities, national associations and commercial partners in shared objectives relating to energy, waste, responsible procurement and social inclusion [1].

Figure 1: Vancouver Stadium (Canada) with a football and the FIFA logo next to it, source [7]

However, sustainability also depends on the day-to-day management of sports facilities, and in this regard, several Mexican stadiums involved in the tournament have become interesting case studies for the adoption of innovative environmental technologies.

According to an in-depth report published by Wired [2], venues such as the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, the Akron Stadium in Guadalajara and the BBVA Stadium in Monterrey have implemented high-efficiency LED lighting systems, smart energy consumption monitoring, rainwater harvesting and advanced waste sorting schemes [2]. Some of these venues have also introduced reusable cup schemes and strategies to reduce single-use plastic during events, following an increasingly widespread trend in the international sports sector [2]. Although these measures may appear minor, they can yield significant results. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) [3], waste management is one of the areas in which sporting events can achieve the most rapid and measurable improvements in the short term.

Whilst the stadiums represent the most visible aspect of sustainability, the main environmental issue surrounding the 2026 World Cup lies elsewhere. According to an estimate compiled by the carbon accounting firm Greenly and reported by Reuters [4], the tournament could generate around 7.8 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, more than double the emissions attributed to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar [4], and the main cause is the geographical location of the event itself. The host cities are, in fact, spread across a vast territory stretching from western Canada to central Mexico. This means that teams, fans, journalists, sponsors and logistics operators will be forced to travel thousands of kilometres throughout the tournament, unfortunately air travel is currently the most difficult component to decarbonise within the transport sector. Even with efficient stadiums powered by renewable energy, flights continue to account for the lion’s share of the total emissions associated with an international sporting event. It is precisely for this reason that some researchers have described the North American World Cup as a crucial test to determine whether it is possible to reconcile the growing expansion of global sporting competitions with the climate targets set by the 2015 Paris Agreement [4].

As well as contributing to global emissions, the tournament will have to contend directly with the effects of climate change. Several climatologists have highlighted that some host cities may experience particularly high temperatures during the summer months, especially in the southern United States and the northern regions of Mexico [5]. Extreme heat poses a real threat not only to sporting performance but also to the health of fans, workers, volunteers and organising staff. To address this risk, FIFA has put in place specific protocols, including mandatory hydration breaks (which have been heavily criticised for the inclusion of adverts), continuous monitoring of weather conditions and emergency procedures in the event of particularly high temperatures [5]. In this sense, the 2026 World Cup is also taking on the role of a global testing ground for climate adaptation. The measures adopted could, in fact, become a model for other sporting competitions faced with an increasingly unstable climate [3].

However, the sustainability of a major event is not measured solely whilst it is taking place. The true assessment comes in the years that follow, when it is evaluated whether the investments and innovations introduced have generated lasting benefits, the famous ‘legacy’ of an event. FIFA itself recognises this principle in its official strategy, providing for monitoring and reporting activities that will continue even after the tournament has ended [1]. The aim is to transform the World Cup into a catalyst for existing urban projects, fostering permanent improvements in energy efficiency, resource management and sustainable mobility. The decision to use infrastructure that is already operational represents, from this perspective, a significant advantage. All the stadiums involved will, in fact, continue to be used by professional teams, for cultural events and community activities, thereby reducing the risk of waste and neglect. However, the most complex issue remains unresolved: how to offset the enormous climate impact generated by international travel. In recent years, many sports organisations have turned to emissions offset programmes using carbon credits [3]. However, the scientific community is increasingly emphasising that carbon offsetting cannot replace a genuine reduction in emissions at source. For this reason, many observers regard the 2026 World Cup as an important test case to assess whether the sports sector is capable of moving from a carbon-offsetting approach to one of genuine decarbonisation [3].

This event presents organisers and civil society with a complex reality. On one hand, we see more efficient stadiums, waste reduction programmes, climate strategies and a growing focus on sustainability in the governance of the event. On the other hand, there are critical issues relating to transport emissions and the increasing scale of global sporting competitions. For this reason, the tournament’s environmental success cannot be assessed solely by the number of certifications obtained or the initiatives implemented during the weeks of competition. The true measure of its impact will be its ability to leave a lasting legacy, with cities more resilient to climate change, more efficient infrastructure, replicable organisational practices and greater awareness of the relationship between sport and sustainability. Ultimately, the most important challenge of the 2026 World Cup is not about who will lift the trophy, but rather the ability of world football to demonstrate that even the biggest sporting event on the planet can contribute to the ecological transition rather than hinder it.

Cover and preview image: A football on a green pitch, source [6]