Sustainable World Cup: How Dubai’s Project “World Cup of the Future” is Addressing Environmental and Social Challenges

Antonio Luis D. Sousa
3 min readJan 2, 2023

The FIFA World Cup is one of the biggest and most widely-anticipated sporting events in the world, drawing millions of fans and billions of dollars in revenue for the host country. However, hosting the World Cup can also have negative impacts on a country, including financial strain, environmental degradation, and social disruptions.

As the world looks ahead to the next World Cup and future major sporting events, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of hosting these types of events and how they can benefit (or harm) countries.

On the positive side, hosting a major sporting event like the World Cup can provide a boost to a country’s economy, as it attracts tourists, generates revenue from ticket sales and merchandise, and can lead to the development of new infrastructure.

However, these benefits come at a cost. Hosting the World Cup can be financially burdensome for a country, as the cost of building new stadiums and other infrastructure can be high. In addition, there are often social and environmental impacts to consider. For example, the construction of new stadiums and other facilities can lead to the displacement of local residents and the destruction of natural habitats.

A photo by David Rodrigo

Dubai’s Plan

In an effort to address these challenges, Dubai has proposed hosting a “World Cup of the Future” that utilizes existing infrastructure and focuses on sustainability. The plan calls for the use of existing stadiums and other facilities, as well as the incorporation of environmentally-friendly technologies, such as solar panels and electric vehicles.

The plan calls for the use of existing infrastructure, such as stadiums and hotels, in order to minimize the environmental impact of building new facilities. In addition, the proposal includes the incorporation of environmentally-friendly technologies, such as solar panels and electric vehicles, as well as measures to reduce waste and carbon emissions.

Another key aspect of the “World Cup of the Future” is the focus on sustainability and social responsibility. This includes efforts to minimize the displacement of local residents and the destruction of natural habitats, as well as initiatives to promote cultural exchange and understanding.

Overall, the “World Cup of the Future” proposal seeks to find a balance between the economic and social benefits of hosting a major sporting event like the World Cup, and the need to minimize negative impacts on the environment and local communities. By focusing on sustainability and social responsibility, Dubai hopes to set a new standard for hosting major sporting events and inspire other countries to follow suit.

Conclusion

While the benefits of hosting a major sporting event like the World Cup can be significant, it’s important to carefully consider the potential impacts on both the host country and the planet. By finding ways to minimize negative impacts and maximize the benefits, we can ensure that events like the World Cup continue to bring joy and excitement to fans around the world.

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Antonio Luis D. Sousa

I’m a experienced creative with a passion for brand identity and social media. Based in Cabo Verde, I design high quality flyers, logos and marketing materials.