What An Own Goal!

Barney Weston suggests that FIFA's bidding process for soccer's World Cup makes a mockery of its 'green pledges'. Fan travel accounts for circa 70% of such competition's carbon footprints. World Cup's other major source of 'greenhouse gas' emissions is stadia construction (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/nov/01/world-cup-bid-process-makes-a-mockery-of-green-pledges-its-time-for-reform). Weston notes the 2020 competition will be played in Canada, the USA and Mexico. It's an area already troubled by increasing temperatures (not good for playing football). Air travel by fans, teams and media, even after reaching that continent, will contribute massively to emissions. 2030 is even worse. This will be shared between Argentina. Morocco, Paraguay, Portugal, Spain and Uruguay. Cross-crossing between continents will be an inevitable feature. It also looks certain that the 2034 competition will be in Saudi Arabia. This will trigger a spate of stadium building. The Saudi's to hope the event will stimulate tourism (another major source of climate-modifying emissions). It's very clear that FIFA's bidding process is more concerned with maximising coverage of the game and sponsorship, rather than seriously attempting to minimise the environmental impact of their competitions. International mega sporting events are totally incompatible with attempts to counter climate disaster. Team FIFA should play in brightest 'greenwash'.