Environmental concerns loom over World Cup events

Host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup face issues with pollution, heat and waste. What does this mean for New Jersey?

This article is republished with permission by South Jersey Climate News.

The World Cup is the single largest sporting event in the world, and 2026 will be bigger than ever before. 

This year, the World Cup expanded the number of teams from 32 to 48 countries. And it isn’t just taking place in one country, but three: Canada, the United States and Mexico. 

An estimated six million people will attend the games, some traveling multiple times to multiple locations, increasing air travel and pollution.

A total of 16 cities will host 104 matches, many in open-air stadiums that are expected to be extremely hot.

All of this raises environmental concerns for players, fans and the cities that will host the matches. 

New Jersey, which has two venues in the region, will be at the center of it all.

Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia will host six matches. And MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford will host eight games, including the final match on July 19.

“The most polluting World Cup ever”

With the expansion of this year’s event and its reliance on air travel, scientists predict the 2026 World Cup will generate 9 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, a 92% increase from past events.

In 2021, FIFA, the sport’s governing organization, put forth a climate strategy that pledged to cut the event’s emissions in half by 2030. But scientists and critics say the current actions are insufficient and are largely a marketing strategy. 

“It’s completely misaligned with the promises [FIFA] have made publicly to reduce emissions,” Dr. Madeleine Orr, assistant professor of sport ecology at the University of Toronto told the BBC. “At this point, it’s damage control.”

Nearly 1.2 million visitors are expected in the New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia region for this year’s World Cup events, which will bring additional traffic and pollution to the area.

In Philadelphia, officials are encouraging the use of public transportation and are expanding the number of trains to games.

But the situation in East Rutherford is more complicated.

FIFA has eliminated parking at MetLife Stadium, which will  increase the number of trains needed to transport 80,000 fans to the games. 

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill said it would cost the agency an additional $48 million and has proposed a $98 train fare, which has some fans looking for alternatives.

Extreme heat

World Cup game days are also getting hotter and more humid than in the past.

Rising global temperatures and extreme weather conditions caused by climate change bring additional risks, scientists warn. 

A recent study predicted that as many as 26 matches of the 2026 World Cup will likely take place in temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit that can cause heat strain and require cooling breaks for players. 

It predicted that as many as five games – including the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium – may need to be postponed due to extreme heat and high humidity.

Fans are also at risk of heat related illness.

Host cities are setting up misting stations and allowing fans to bring in their own water bottles. They are also encouraging fans to stay hydrated, avoid alcohol, and even skip the game if they have heat-related health risks.

Health officials and first responders have been preparing for the event for months, including running simulated disaster responses.

“Healthcare systems and healthcare providers should anticipate increases in heat-related illnesses, gastrointestinal illnesses, travel-associated infectious diseases, sexually transmitted infections, and alcohol and substance use,” according to a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene memo.

Sustainable stadiums

Not everything about the World Cup coming to the area is doom and gloom.

MetLife Stadium and Lincoln Financial Field are both known for their commitments to sustainability. And the event is a chance to put a global spotlight on the venues.

In 2021, MetLife became the first NFL Stadium to join the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Sports for Climate Action Framework, which aims to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by large sporting venues. 

MetLife produces a portion of its power with 1,350 solar panels. It also practices waste sorting – separating plastics from waste to ensure recyclable materials don’t end up in landfills. 

Lincoln Financial Field also keeps sustainability at the center of their operations. 

More than 10,000 solar panels provide the stadium with 40% of its total energy. It employs a hydrogen refueling station to power electric vehicles. And it has an ambitious recycling program for aluminum cans, glass, plastic and food waste.

In 2024, the U.S. Green Building Council awarded Lincoln Financial Field with a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum award.

“We have always operated through the lens of sustainability, so it is rewarding that our efforts are being recognized in such a distinguished way,” said Jason Miller, Senior Vice President of Operations for the Philadelphia Eagles.

About the Contributors

Eric Czerwonka, Writer

My name is Eric Czerwonka, and I’m a student at Rowan University, majoring in sports communications and media, with a minor in journalism. I love being able to tell the stories of people through feature writing, as well as covering and talking about sports. In my free time, I love watching my favorite sports teams, exercising, and hiking. 

Sarah Shockey, Writer

I’m a junior at Rowan University pursuing a double major in journalism and sports communication and media. Currently, I serve as the sports editor for The Whit, Rowan University’s student-run newspaper, and work as an editor and reporter for the Delaware Blue Coats. I also currently intern with the NJ State House News Service.

Photo by Fauzan Saari on Unsplash