The report says the expanded 48-team tournament could produce about 4.23 million metric tonnes of carbon emissions, with fan travel accounting for 82% of the projected footprint. Flying alone is estimated to contribute roughly three million tonnes.
The tournament’s North American geography is central to the debate. With matches spread across a vast region, long-distance flights and cross-border travel are likely to be a major part of the spectator experience. The report says hosting the competition in Europe would have substantially reduced those travel emissions.
The researchers propose discounts for supporters choosing lower-carbon transport, alongside higher carbon charges on premium tickets. If the estimated cost of mitigating the tournament’s emissions were passed directly to fans, the report says it would average about $114 (£90) per match ticket.
That approach would make supporters part of the solution, but it would also raise questions about fairness. A higher ticket price could penalise fans who have fewer travel options, while rewarding those able to choose rail, shared transport or shorter journeys.
The report points to Coldplay’s touring model, where travel apps and merchandise discounts encouraged lower-carbon behaviour. It says spectator choices drove the overwhelming majority of the emissions reductions achieved on that tour.
can control stadium operations, construction standards and event logistics. Fan travel is harder to manage, but ignoring it would leave the largest part of the tournament’s footprint untouched.
As preparations advance, the key storyline will be whether turns sustainability language into practical ticketing and travel policies-or leaves fans carrying the climate cost without meaningful incentives to change.