Fifa breaking climate commitments with World Cup in six countries, experts warn

Fifa said it would take all required measures to mitigate the environmental impact of the World Cup, adding 97% of the 2030 tournament would be held in three countries that share a border or are separated by a few kilometres.

Fifa's decision to hold the 2030 World Cup in six countries, with fans flying to more than 100 games, will increase the tournament's carbon footprint and is at odds with the soccer governing body's climate commitments, experts have warned.

Fifa allocated the 2030 World Cup to Spain, Portugal and Morocco last week but also said Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay would host three matches to mark the tournament's centenary.

After three games in South America from June 8-9, 2030, the tournament then heads to Spain, Portugal and Morocco, which would lead to several transatlantic flights for teams and fans.

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar had only 32 teams and all 64 matches were played in eight stadiums in and around Doha.

"The big problem is that they're continuously growing the event," said sport ecologist Dr Madeleine Orr, an assistant professor at the University of Toronto, whose research examines the impacts of climate change on the sport sector.

"Every decision that grows the World Cup is going to increase the carbon footprint of the event. That's the unfortunate truth, it's a tradeoff.

You get growth economically and as a result, you're getting a bigger environmental footprint... Fifa itself have said that they are considering the environment, yet all of the actions suggest otherwise."

Fifa said it would take all required measures to mitigate the environmental impact of the World Cup, adding 97% of the 2030 tournament would be held in three countries that share a border or are separated by a few kilometres.

"For 101 games, the tournament will be played in a footprint of neighbouring countries in close geographic proximity and with extensive and well developed transport links and infrastructure," Fifa said.

Fifa also previously said it was committed to a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2040.

In June, a Swiss regulator said Fifa made false and misleading statements about carbon neutrality and the reduced environmental impact of the World Cup in Qatar.

Quentin Cuendet, who acted on behalf of the Swiss Climate Alliance with the association Avocates pour le Climat in their case against Fifa for "greenwashing" at the 2022 World Cup, said it was not possible for Fifa to mitigate the impact.

He said in such big tournaments, most emissions are from flights which Fifa cannot reduce.

"The second reason is that at the World Cup in Qatar, Fifa claimed it offset part of its emissions. What we showed at the proceedings in Switzerland is that Fifa was unable to prove that the offsetting was effective and had a positive impact on the emissions of the World Cup."