FIFA President’s Extensive Travel Raises Questions Amid World Cup Climate Pledges

FIFA has pledged to cut emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net-zero status by 2040. For the current tournament, the governing body outlined several environmental commitments, including hosting teams regionally to minimize long-haul travel for attendees, promoting electric vehicles and public transport, and utilizing existing stadium infrastructure.

Despite these assurances, climate scientists expressed skepticism well before the opening match on June 11, citing the event’s sheer scale. A 2025 report by Scientists for Global Responsibility estimated the tournament’s carbon footprint could reach nine million tonnes of CO2e—nearly double the average of the previous four World Cups—potentially making it the most polluting edition in history.

Credibility concerns persist following a 2023 ruling by a Swiss regulator, which determined FIFA made false claims by labeling the 2022 Qatar World Cup as the first carbon-neutral tournament in history through the use of offsetting investments. In response, FIFA stated it remains “fully aware that climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time and believes it requires each of us to take immediate and sustainable climate action.”

The logistical reality underscores the difficulty of reconciling rhetoric with practice. While FIFA President Gianni Infantino attended all 64 matches in Qatar—where venues were within an hour’s drive—this year’s continent-spanning tournament presents a vastly different travel challenge.

Additional reporting by Mark Poynting.

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