Pitches in peril: a landmark climate report ahead of the 2026 World Cup

This report presents the first global climate risk assessment of football, examining how climate change is reshaping the conditions under which the game is played, from elite World Cup stadiums to grassroots community pitches. Produced by Football For Future and Common Goal in partnership with Jupiter Intelligence and supported by the CO₂ Foundation, it provides an unprecedented analysis of how rising heat, flooding, and drought threaten football infrastructure worldwide. Drawing on data from 16 FIFA World Cup 2026 stadiums, future tournament venues in 2030 and 2034, and 18 grassroots pitches associated with iconic players, the report maps escalating physical climate risks across all levels of the sport. It also integrates stakeholder perspectives, including fan survey data and testimonies from professional players, to contextualize climate risks within football’s global social ecosystem.

The findings show that 14 of 16 World Cup 2026 stadiums already exceed safe-play thresholds for major climate hazards, with nearly 90% projected to face unplayable heat by 2050, while two-thirds of surveyed grassroots pitches are expected to experience unsafe playing conditions by mid-century. Case studies further highlight acute localized vulnerabilities, including extreme heat exposure in Nigeria and severe flood risks in Sydney. The report underscores football’s growing exposure to climate disruption and the disproportionate risks faced by grassroots facilities. It ultimately positions football not only as a sector at risk but as a catalyst for climate action, calling for coordinated mitigation, adaptation, and resilience strategies to safeguard infrastructure, players, and the future sustainability of the game.