2026 World Cup: Tournament sends ‘dangerous message’ on climate

David Wheeler, former Wycombe Wanderers midfielder and one of football’s most vocal environmental advocates, sees climate change increasingly affecting the game, saying it is “becoming a lot more obvious to players and more of a topic of conversation”.

Wheeler, who is the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Sustainability Champion, believes the sport has a responsibility to do more.

“Unfortunately I don’t think the major governing bodies and organisations are really taking that responsibility seriously at the moment,” he says.

“These organisations don’t deserve to profit from sport if they’re not going to use their power for the betterment of sport.”

Wheeler also wants footballers to use their platform more to speak out on environmental issues.

“It could have a huge impact,” he said. “But it’s also important that clubs and fans’ groups also insulate the players because there’s going to be that inevitable backlash that they’re a hypocrite.

“The majority of us are hypocrites to some degree. We’re not perfect and that’s OK, just as long as we’re trying to do as much as we can.”

One player who does not shy away from using his platform to champion environmental issues is Real Betis defender Hector Bellerin.

Speaking after he was named Global Champion at the recent BBC Green Sport Awards, he said it was not easy to promote sustainability in a sport increasingly defined by global expansion.

“It’s hard,” he said, referencing the 2026 World Cup. “I don’t make the decisions and I’m very aware of how the industry works. But I’m not going to stop doing what I love because of decisions made at the top.

“We players often feel like we’re treated like numbers or marketable goods. There’s more games, more travel, more difficult conditions. And we’re just told to hydrate,” the former Arsenal player added.

“Unless footballers around the world unite – whether that means stopping or taking bold decisions – the wheel’s just going to keep turning,” he said.