A new study looks at how eco friendly the FIFA World Cup 2026 host cities are. The study checks how cities handle clean transport, air quality, waste and climate care.
The research includes 16 host cities across the USA, Canada and Mexico. Each city was given an Eco Score based on its green efforts.
Vancouver ranked first in the study. It is seen as the most sustainable city. It scored high for clean transport, low air pollution and lower gas emissions. It had the best overall score in the list.
Boston came in second place. The city has plans to become climate neutral by 2050. Mexico City ranked third. It is working on tree planting and improving city parks.
Other cities in the top group include Toronto, Seattle, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Monterrey and Kansas City.
However, the study also raised concerns. It says the 2026 World Cup may create about 9 million tonnes of carbon pollution. This is mostly because teams and fans will travel long distances across three countries.
The study also says that some cities do not have strong public transport. This may make travel harder and increase pollution.
Fans also shared their views. About 66% of football fans say the sport needs to be more eco friendly. Among young fans the number is even higher at 88%.
Experts say FIFA is trying to support sustainability. But they also say more action is needed. They believe better planning and cleaner travel options are important.
In the end, the study shows a mix of progress and problems. Some cities are doing well in sustainability. But the overall event may still have a big impact on the environment.