Can Global Sporting Events Ever Be Truly Sustainable?
Like many South Africans, I spent the opening World Cup match hoping Bafana Bafana would make history. Technically, they did. The game became the first World Cup opener to feature three red cards. The 2-0 loss to Mexico was perhaps not the kind of record we had in mind.
Still, while the football may not have gone to plan, the tournament itself is raising an interesting question: can an event of this scale ever be truly sustainable?
The FIFA World Cup is one of the largest sporting events on the planet. It brings together billions of viewers, millions of travelling fans and some of the world’s most iconic venues. Yet, as sustainability becomes an increasingly urgent priority, the environmental impact of hosting mega events is coming under greater scrutiny.
From solar panels and water conservation measures to waste reduction programmes, host venues have made sustainability a key focus ahead of the tournament. Yet the scale of the event serves as a reminder that reducing environmental impact is rarely straightforward.
Greener stadiums are becoming the norm
One of the most encouraging developments ahead of the tournament has been the focus on improving the sustainability credentials of host venues.
13 of the 16 World Cup stadiums have achieved LEED certification, the world’s most widely used green building rating system. Together, these certified venues have installed more than 11,500 solar panels, implemented changes that are expected to save over 100 million gallons of potable water annually, and introduced measures designed to eliminate more than five million single use plastic items every year.
Perhaps most importantly, many of these sustainability gains have been achieved through upgrading existing infrastructure rather than constructing entirely new stadiums. This approach helps avoid the substantial carbon emissions associated with large scale construction projects.
Historic venues are adapting
Mexico’s famous Estadio Azteca, which first opened in 1966 and has hosted two previous World Cup finals, has undergone significant upgrades ahead of the tournament.
FIFA required participating venues to obtain environmental certifications that assess factors including energy use, water efficiency, waste management and transportation access. Older venues such as Estadio Azteca have therefore had to modernise while preserving their historic character.
Other Mexican venues were already ahead of the curve. BBVA Stadium in Monterrey, for example, achieved LEED Gold certification for operations. The stadium monitors utility consumption, has implemented systems to improve indoor environmental quality and has introduced reusable drinkware programmes that have dramatically reduced plastic waste.
The biggest challenge may not be the stadiums themselves
While the progress being made within host venues is encouraging, stadium operations represent only one part of the sustainability picture.
The 2026 tournament will be the largest in FIFA’s history, featuring 48 teams competing across 16 cities in three countries. The expanded format has led some experts to question whether the tournament’s overall carbon footprint could outweigh the environmental improvements being made at venue level.
Research suggests the tournament could become the most carbon intensive World Cup to date, with the vast majority of emissions stemming from transportation. Fans, teams, media representatives and officials will travel considerable distances throughout North America during the competition.
This illustrates an important reality about sustainability. Improving operational efficiency is often the easier part. Addressing emissions generated across wider systems, such as supply chains and transportation networks, tends to be far more complex.
Progress, not perfection
The sustainability debate surrounding the World Cup mirrors conversations taking place across almost every industry.
Organisations are increasingly being challenged to reduce their environmental impact while continuing to grow, innovate and meet rising expectations. Rarely is there a perfect solution.
The World Cup demonstrates that meaningful progress is possible. Renewable energy can be incorporated into major infrastructure. Water consumption can be reduced. Waste can be diverted away from landfill. Existing assets can be upgraded rather than replaced.
At the same time, it reminds us that sustainability is not achieved through a single initiative. It requires a broader understanding of how different systems interact and where the greatest opportunities for improvement lie.
Final whistle
The 2026 FIFA World Cup may never be remembered as a perfect example of sustainable event management. However, it does offer an important glimpse into how large scale events are evolving.
Greener stadiums show what can be achieved through innovation, investment and collaboration. The ongoing debate around travel emissions highlights the work that still remains.
As for Bafana Bafana, there is still time to turn things around (she types hopefully).
Ultimately, the 2026 World Cup highlights both how far major events have come and how far they still have to go. The challenge now is ensuring that the lessons learned extend far beyond the final whistle.
What is the biggest environmental challenge facing the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Transportation is expected to be the largest contributor to the tournament's carbon footprint, with millions of fans, teams, media representatives and officials travelling between venues across three countries.
What is LEED certification and why is it important for stadiums?
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a globally recognised green building certification. It assesses factors such as energy efficiency, water conservation and environmental performance, helping venues reduce their long-term environmental impact.
How does sustainability influence the future of global events?
Event organisers are increasingly expected to demonstrate environmental responsibility, making sustainability a key factor in venue design, transportation planning, procurement and stakeholder engagement.
What does the World Cup reveal about the future of sustainability?
The tournament highlights both the progress that has been made through innovation and the complexity of addressing emissions across interconnected systems such as transportation, infrastructure and supply chains.