A new study assessing the environmental performance of host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has found wide variation in sustainability standards, highlighting gaps in transport systems, emissions, and urban infrastructure ahead of the tournament.

This study, conducted by WNS, evaluated cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico based on various sustainability factors, including greenhouse gas emissions, access to public transportation, waste management, and renewable energy. While there have been improvements in many cities regarding environmental sustainability, it is evident that sustainability performance is varied, with some host cities earning low scores in their environmental sustainability performance.

Cities that performed well include those with good access to public transport, lower per capita emissions, and extensive use of renewable energy. Vancouver stands out among the more sustainable host cities because of its use of renewable energy sources, as well as having lower emissions rates compared to other cities. On the other hand, host cities with low environmental sustainability included Houston, New York, and Los Angeles.

This study is against the backdrop of increasing worries about the environmental impacts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is scheduled to be hosted by 16 cities from three countries in an unprecedented format that will see 48 teams participate in the competition. Previously conducted studies have indicated that such changes may make the event the most environmentally damaging football tournament ever because of the higher level of carbon emissions from air transportation between different cities.

In response, FIFA has developed a sustainability and human rights strategy that obliges host cities to introduce their own environmental action plans. Such plans typically include provisions related to emission reduction, improved efficiency in the consumption of natural resources, and support for local communities. This includes introducing renewable energy technologies, establishing waste reduction programs, and promoting more sustainable forms of transportation.

However, not all cities can comply with this requirement, especially considering their structural constraints, including their reliance on fossil fuels and poor development of urban transit systems.

The report also highlights that host cities will play and important role in shaping the tournament's in the long run. Investments into sustainable infrastructure and energy-efficient facilities might provide long-term gains for the cities, but different levels of preparedness can pose a problem.

It is known that today, there is an increasing tendency towards applying sustainability standards to sporting events, especially with regard to their carbon footprint. The conclusions from the research imply that if there is no effective cooperation and control, attempts at making sports events more environmentally friendly will not be successful.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to become the biggest one in the history of the tournament and will serve as a test for such initiatives.