Impact of football tournaments on the environment is getting worse, not better: Irish research

A team of researchers led by Conor McCarthy found that the impact of high-profile international football tournaments on the environment is worsening despite commitments to ‘zero emissions’ strategies. The 34-year study, involving 895 matches from 1990 to 2024, revealed that FIFA’s decisions to co-host tournaments across multiple countries have led to increased emissions due to extensive team travel. The study recommended hosting group stages in single cities or regions to reduce carbon emissions, with the 2022 World Cup in Qatar showing the lowest internal emissions due to its compact nature.

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