S4E11: The World Cup’s Climate Problem - Can Football Go Global Without Burning the Planet?

The 2026 World Cup has kicked off - bigger than ever, more global than ever, and possibly more carbon-intensive than ever.

With 48 teams, 104 matches and host cities spread across the US, Canada and Mexico, this tournament is a celebration of football’s global reach. But it also raises an uncomfortable sustainability question: can the world’s biggest sporting event keep expanding in a warming world?

In this episode of Sustainability Forward, Wrishi and Carmine look beyond the pitch to explore the climate and energy story behind World Cup 2026. We discuss why fan travel is likely to dominate the tournament’s carbon footprint, why using existing stadiums is positive but not enough, how extreme heat and humidity could affect players and fans, and whether FIFA’s sustainability strategy goes far enough.

We also ask what a genuinely sustainable World Cup would look like — from regional scheduling and transparent carbon accounting to heat-aware match planning, public transport, credible offsets and host-city legacy.

This is not an episode about feeling guilty for watching football. It is about asking whether the world’s game can adapt to the world it is played in.

Listen now for a practical, human and analytical look at football, climate risk and the future of global sport.