Fifa has said on its website that it will take measures to “mitigate the environmental impact” of its three continent 2030 world-cup.
The move comes after the federation was criticised for its decision to host the upcoming 2026 World Cup event across three countries (USA, Mexico and Canada), and for its choice to expand the event to feature 104 matches.
Last week the organisation named Morocco, Spain and Portugal as hosts of the tournament, but the opening matches will be hosted by Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay to mark the centenary of the tournament.
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In a statement from the Fifa President Gianini Infantino the organisation said:
“In 2030, we will have a unique global footprint, three continents – Africa, Europe and South America – six countries – Argentina, Morrocco, Paraguay, Portugal, Spain and Uruguay – welcoming and uniting the world while celebrating together the beautiful game, the centenary and the Fifa World Cup”.
Fifa has been criticised for its decisions, speaking to BBC Sport about Fifa’s decision to host the 2026 world cup across three countries, Gary Lineker said: “There’s a lot of travel between three countries. Three countries that are spread over an enormous area, with temperatures souring around the world.”
“With temperatures souring around the world as well, it’s going to be really difficult because it’s in the middle of summer and it’s in the northern hemisphere. It’s going to be very hot in parts.”
“We’ve seen wildfires causing problems, massively high temperatures that perhaps wouldn’t normally do that.”
“In the next world cup, if they’re playing in temperatures higher than 40 degrees it makes things incredibly difficult”.
France manager Didier Deschamps also hit out at Fifa over there new 2030 plans, “I don’t know who makes the decisions, but I won’t hide from you the fact that I like things that are more coherent on a sporting and ethical level.”
“I don’t think there is much coherence there,” he added.
