Abolish the World Cup!
We’re football fans who see no alternative: The CO2 party must end. Football is more popular than Jesus of Nazareth and John Lennon combined.
At first glance, it seems like a pastime that doesn’t harm the environment: Players just need a ball, some space, and the desire to run. However,
the data are shocking: Football is directly responsible for 0.3-0.4% of the world’s annual carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to Denmark's emissions.
- The Wall Street Journal reports that in 2024 the sport generated more than 30 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels as a source of energy, equivalent to 150 million barrels of oil.
- Every match at the men’s World Cup finals emits between 44,000 and 72,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases, the same as 30,000 to 50,000 cars on British roads each year.
- Recent studies estimate that emissions from the cup will range between 1.65 and 3.63 million tonnes of carbon-dioxide equivalent between 2000 and 2026.
Author’s summary: Football fans call to end the World Cup due to its significant carbon footprint.