55 76 98 68 85 ext. 6885contacto@drrambiental.com
LinkedIn
← Environmental Insights
June 23, 2026 · Del Razo & Rábago Consultores Ambientales

Lessons on Environmental Impact and Regulation for the 2026 World Cup in Mexico: Challenges, Risks, and Opportunities for Sustainability

The 2026 FIFA World Cup and its environmental dimension

When discussing the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the conversation tends to focus on economic impact, tourism, infrastructure, and the international profile it represents for host countries. However, there is another dimension that deserves equal attention: its environmental impact.

The 2026 edition will be the largest in the tournament's history. For the first time, 48 national teams will compete, 104 matches will be played, and host venues will be spread across Mexico, the United States, and Canada. This unprecedented scale turns the World Cup into a case study in sustainability, urban management, and environmental governance.

Several independent analyses estimate that it could become the World Cup with the largest climate footprint recorded to date, reaching approximately 9 million tons of CO₂ equivalent, of which nearly 85% would be associated with air travel by fans, teams, and operational staff.

For Mexico, the challenge takes on special relevance. Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey will host 13 matches, including the opening game. Although a significant advantage is that no new stadiums will need to be built, the three cities face pre-existing environmental challenges related to mobility, air quality, water availability, energy consumption, and waste management.

Beyond its sporting significance, the 2026 World Cup represents an opportunity to assess the capacity of Mexican cities to integrate sustainability criteria into the planning and execution of large-scale events.

Beyond the Carbon Footprint: The Environmental Impacts of the 2026 World Cup

The sustainability conversation tends to focus on greenhouse gas emissions. However, the environmental effects associated with an event of this magnitude span multiple dimensions.

Mobility and Air Quality

Transportation is the main source of emissions associated with the World Cup. The arrival of millions of visitors and the increase in urban travel will place significant pressure on existing infrastructure.

Various studies estimate that vehicle traffic could increase between 15% and 25% in host cities during peak periods. This could translate into higher pollutant emissions and a temporary impact on air quality, particularly in metropolitan areas such as Monterrey and Guadalajara, where this challenge is already part of the public agenda.

Water Management in a Context of Water Stress

Water availability represents one of the most significant environmental challenges for Mexico. According to national and international organizations, a substantial part of the country faces water stress conditions. The massive influx of visitors during the tournament will increase demand at hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues, tourism services, and stadiums, particularly during a season characterized by high temperatures.

This scenario makes it essential to strengthen water efficiency measures and sustainable resource management in host cities.

Waste Generation and Management

Large sporting events generate significant amounts of municipal solid waste, including containers, packaging, promotional materials, and single-use plastics. Without effective mechanisms for separation, recycling, and recovery, this waste can place additional pressure on municipal management and final disposal systems.

Implementing circular economy strategies will be crucial to reducing the environmental impact associated with the tournament.

Transparency and Greenwashing Risks

Another relevant aspect is the need to ensure that the environmental commitments made by organizers can be objectively verified. In recent years, several major sporting events have faced scrutiny related to so-called greenwashing — presenting environmental results that do not reflect actual impact reductions or that rely excessively on emissions offset mechanisms.

Transparency and accountability will be fundamental elements in evaluating the environmental performance of the 2026 World Cup.

Mitigation Measures to Reduce the Environmental Impact of the 2026 World Cup

Despite the challenges identified, the tournament also represents an exceptional opportunity to drive structural improvements that will benefit host cities long after the event concludes.

Promoting Sustainable Mobility

Since transportation represents the main source of emissions associated with the World Cup, investments in sustainable mobility are among the most relevant measures. Strengthening public transportation, electromobility, pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, and intelligent traffic management systems can generate lasting benefits for millions of residents.

Circular Economy and Waste Reduction

Host cities have the opportunity to implement more efficient consumption and materials management models. Reducing single-use plastics, packaging reuse systems, materials recycling, and incorporating sustainability criteria into supply chains can significantly help reduce waste generation during the tournament.

Efficient Water Management

Incorporating rainwater harvesting technologies, treated water reuse, and water-saving systems in sports and tourism facilities can reduce pressure on water supply sources. These measures not only generate benefits during the event but can also become part of a long-term water resilience strategy.

Clean Energy and Decarbonization

Using renewable energy sources in stadiums, broadcast centers, fan zones, and temporary facilities can help reduce the event's environmental footprint. Likewise, the World Cup represents an opportunity to promote energy efficiency projects and accelerate the transition toward more sustainable energy models.

Regulatory and Legal Implications for Regulated Sectors

The environmental impacts described trigger compliance requirements related to environmental impact assessment, air emissions, waste management, water discharges and use, as well as urban and civil protection authorizations. In particular, infrastructure upgrades, temporary facilities, and intensive operations may trigger obligations under the LGEEPA, the LGPGIR, NOM-081-SEMARNAT-1994 (noise), and applicable water regulations.

For companies operating within the value chain of large-scale events (hospitality, logistics, transportation, energy, services), the main risk vectors include inspections and administrative sanctions, environmental liability for damages, non-compliance with authorization conditions, and reputational exposure from unverifiable environmental claims (greenwashing).

Additionally, international event sustainability standards (e.g., ISO 20121) and climate reporting frameworks entail expectations of due diligence, traceability, and independent verification, which affect financing, business relationships, and broader corporate compliance.

The Real Legacy of the 2026 World Cup for Mexico

The discussion around the 2026 World Cup should not be limited to short-term economic benefits. The real question is what legacy will remain once the tournament concludes.

Major sporting events have the capacity to accelerate investment, strengthen institutional capabilities, and drive improvements in infrastructure and public services. However, they can also deepen existing problems when planning focuses solely on the event's immediate needs.

For Mexico, the 2026 World Cup represents a historic opportunity to demonstrate that economic growth and environmental sustainability can advance together. If host cities manage to leverage this context to strengthen sustainable mobility, improve water management, promote the circular economy, and accelerate the energy transition, the tournament's most important legacy will not be found in its stadiums or sporting statistics.

It will be found in the construction of more resilient, sustainable cities that are better prepared to face the environmental challenges of the future.

References