London, July 10 (V7N) – The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is on track to become the most environmentally damaging tournament in football history, according to a recent report by Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR).

The environmental research organization warns that the 104-match tournament will emit over 9 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) — nearly double the average emissions of the last four World Cups combined. The report suggests that the expansion of the tournament, along with increased long-distance air travel, are the primary contributors to this unprecedented carbon footprint.

For the first time ever, the FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams playing in 16 cities across three countries. With an estimated 5 million fans expected to attend in person and more than 6 billion viewers tuning in worldwide, the scale of the event has raised serious environmental concerns.

According to SGR, the emissions from this tournament will be equivalent to the annual output of 6.5 million British cars, a comparison that underscores the magnitude of its environmental impact.

Environmental watchdogs such as the Environmental Defense Fund and the Sport for Climate Action Network have echoed SGR's concerns, highlighting how the geographical spread and increased number of matches significantly increase fuel consumption and emissions — especially from air travel.

Despite mounting criticism, FIFA has not yet made an official statement on the report’s findings. However, football’s global governing body had previously pledged to cut emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

As the countdown to the 2026 World Cup continues, environmental groups are calling on FIFA to take immediate action to mitigate the tournament's ecological footprint and uphold its climate commitments.

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