World Cup in six countries at odds with FIFA's climate strategy - experts

FIFA's decision to hold the 2030 World Cup in six countries with fans flying to over 100 games will increase the tournament's carbon footprint and is at odds with the soccer governing body's climate commitments, experts have warned.

FIFA allocated the 2030 World Cup to Spain, Portugal and Morocco last week but also said Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay would host three matches to mark the tournament's centenary.

After three games in South America from June 8-9, 2030, the tournament then heads to Spain, Portugal and Morocco, which would lead to several trans-Atlantic flights for teams and fans.

It is a stark contrast to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar which had only 32 teams while all 64 matches were played in eight stadiums in and around Doha.

"The big problem is that they're continuously growing the event," said sport ecologist Dr Madeleine Orr, an assistant professor at the University of Toronto, whose research examines the impacts of climate change on the sport sector.

"Every decision that grows the World Cup is going to increase the carbon footprint of the event. That's the unfortunate truth, it's a tradeoff.

"You get growth economically and as a result, you're getting a bigger environmental footprint... FIFA itself have said that they are considering the environment, yet all of the actions suggest otherwise."

FIFA said they will take all required measures to mitigate the environmental impact of the World Cup, adding that 97 per cent of the 2030 tournament will be held in three countries that share a border or are separated by a few kilometres.

"For 101 games, the tournament will be played in a footprint of neighbouring countries in close geographic proximity and with extensive and well developed transport links and