A new analysis projects that fans traveling to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America could generate between 3.4 and 5.9 tonnes of CO2 emissions per person, depending on their team's home country and tournament progression. FIFA decided to host the 2026 World Cup across an entire continent and expanded the tournament to 48 teams.

South African supporters face the longest journeys among the teams analyzed. When return flights are included, South Africa fans face at least 21,090 miles of travel in the group stage and at least 22,764 miles if they win their group and reach the final. South African fans traveling as runners-up in their group and reaching the final would cover at least 26,834 miles. The associated emissions for South Africa fans are 4.7 tonnes CO2e per fan for the group stage and up to 5.9 tonnes CO2e per fan for the runner-up-to-final scenario.

England fans following their team through the group stage alone could travel more than 1,760 miles between host cities. If England win their group and reach the final, fans would face at least 14,698 miles of travel, generating about 3.4 tonnes of CO2e per person. If England finish runners-up in their group and reach the final, the travel distance rises to at least 15,385 miles, generating about 3.5 tonnes of CO2e per fan.

Members of the Tartan Army would travel 1,258 miles between host cities during the group stage. Should Scotland win their group and reach the final, and factoring in return flights to Edinburgh, the travel distance would exceed 12,420 miles, generating about 2.8 tonnes of CO2e per fan. Should Scotland finish runners-up in their group and reach the final, the travel distance would be 13,771 miles, generating about 3.3 tonnes of CO2e per fan.

Paul Goodwin, co-founder of the Scottish Football Supporters' Association, said, "As a Scotland fan, you really want to be there. You can't just not travel." Goodwin said, "I think lots of fans do feel conflicted." He added, "We recognise that football has a responsibility when it comes to the environment."

German fans face travel distances of at least 17,935 miles, generating 3.2 tonnes CO2e if Germany win their group and reach the final. German fans face travel distances of at least 19,770 miles, generating 3.5 tonnes CO2e if Germany finish runners-up and reach the final. Fans of the UEFA play-off qualifier in Group B (Wales or Northern Ireland) traveling to all three group games in Toronto, Inglewood, and Seattle would cover more than 3,140 miles.

FIFA is projecting that more than five million fans will attend the tournament. FIFA said it recognises that air travel is a contributor to the overall footprint of any major event. FIFA and its host cities have implemented environmental initiatives related to the tournament, including using existing stadia, a regional hosting model to reduce reliance on long-haul travel, promoting water conservation, encouraging public transport and using electric vehicles, promoting recycling, reducing food waste, and initiating tree planting across North America.