COPENHAGEN, DENMARK, June 29, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico is recognized as the most carbon-intensive tournament in football history. Estimated CO₂ emissions reach 9 million tonnes, largely due to air travel by 48 national teams and millions of spectators, which is approximately double the footprint of the Qatar World Cup and equates to a quarter of Denmark’s annual greenhouse gas emissions.
Simultaneously, the tournament is boosting climate change awareness globally. “Extreme weather, rising temperatures, floods, and droughts impact everyone, particularly the most vulnerable communities. When climate change disrupts the World Cup, it draws more attention than when scientists or activists sound the alarm. This is the first World Cup where climate change is a real operational challenge,” stated Jonas Nøddekær, Secretary General of DanChurchAid.
He added, “It’s absurd, but when severe thunderstorms over Philadelphia force players and spectators to seek shelter, it highlights that extreme weather requires action, not just a cooling break. Football’s leading organisations, led by FIFA, must take action to keep football viable as an outdoor sport in a changing climate.”
DanChurchAid and Football for Future are raising awareness on the need for climate adaptation for football pitches and communities during the World Cup. Football for Future’s report, “Pitches in Peril,” indicates that 14 out of 16 host stadiums have faced conditions exceeding safe-play thresholds due to extreme weather events.
Furthermore, the organisations emphasize the need for climate adaptation in Nairobi, where 2024 floods claimed lives, displaced people, and submerged football pitches in Mathare. These pitches have since been restored with community support.
Elliot Arthur-Worsop, Founder of Football for Future, stated, “Mathare shows that football’s future isn’t only shaped in stadiums but on community pitches and through opportunities football provides for youth. As East Africa prepares for AFCON 2027, we have a chance to create a legacy that strengthens these foundational places.”
For more information, please contact: Mattias Sõderberg, DanChurchAid, +45 29 70 06 09, msd@dca.dk.
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News Provided By: June 29, 2026, 10:43 GMT. Distribution channels: Amusement, Gaming & Casino, Aviation, Aerospace, Culture, Society, Lifestyle, Education, Energy, Environment, Natural Disasters, Politics, Science, Social Media.
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