2026 World Cup: 13 of 16 stadiums LEED-certified

A strong headline for host venues

The clearest positive is the venue count.

• The report says 13 of 16 stadiums are already certified.
• It adds that at least two of the remaining three could follow soon.
• Since 2024, 10 arenas are said to have completed the process.

That gives and local organisers a tangible story to tell. Unlike past tournaments built around new stadium construction, 2026 is heavily reliant on existing venues. That does not solve every environmental problem, but it does reduce the need for carbon-intensive new builds.

What the changes look like

The headline is not just a badge on the wall. The report ties certification to visible operational changes.

• More than 11,500 solar panels are said to be installed across approved venues.
• Water-saving measures are projected to save over 100 million gallons of potable water annually.
• More than 5 million single-use plastic items could be removed each year.
• In four host cities, nearly all waste is reportedly being reused, recycled or composted.

There are also venue-level examples. The report says Estadio Azteca reached the top LEED level, while AT&T Stadium and MetLife Stadium have obtained gold certification.

The bigger problem remains travel

This is where the good news meets the harder truth. The same report says is targeting a 50% cut in greenhouse-gas emissions by 2030 and net-zero carbon by 2040. Yet 2026 still appears likely to face heavy criticism over travel demand, especially with a 48-team format and long-haul flights between host cities.

Greener stadiums are a real step. They are not the whole answer. As the tournament approaches, the next point to watch is whether the final few venues are approved - and whether can match stadium progress with a more convincing wider emissions plan.