Opinion: Football’s growing carbon footprint threatens its future

The global football industry emits as much carbon as Austria each year, with sponsorships from polluting companies and expanded tournaments driving up emissions even further.

Andrew Simms and Stuart Parkinson write for DeSmog.

In short:

• A new report finds football’s annual carbon emissions equal those of Austria, with the FIFA Men’s World Cup alone generating 6.5 million metric tons of CO2 over a four-year cycle.
• Sponsorships from fossil fuel companies and airlines make up 75% of football’s total emissions by promoting high-carbon lifestyles.
• Players are calling for reforms, including reducing international tournaments, cutting sponsorship deals with polluters and improving travel options for fans.

Key quote:

“Football needs to wake up to the threat posed to it by climate change.”

— Tessel Middag, professional footballer for Rangers FC

Why this matters:

Football’s growing emissions contribute to climate change while extreme weather threatens the sport itself. Sponsorships from major polluters fuel demand for high-carbon activities. Without action, rising temperatures, air pollution and extreme weather could reshape the game for players and fans alike.

Related: Sport's hypocrisy in the climate crisis