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

David Weller, the former Wycombe Wanderers midfielder and one of football’s most prominent environmentalists, sees climate change increasingly affecting the game, saying it is “becoming more visible to players and becoming a topic of conversation”.

Wheeler, a Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) sustainability champion, believes the sport has a responsibility to do more.

“Unfortunately, I don’t think major bodies and organizations are taking this responsibility seriously at the moment,” he says.

“These organizations do not deserve to benefit from sports if they do not use their power to improve sports.”

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

“It can have a big impact,” he said. “But it is also important that clubs and supporter groups also isolate players because there will be an inevitable backlash that they are hypocrites.

“The majority of us are hypocrites to some extent. We’re not perfect and that’s normal, as long as we try to do everything we can.”

One player who is not shy about using his platform to advocate for environmental issues is Real Betis defender Hector Bellerin.

Speaking after being named World 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 difficult,” he said, referring to the 2026 World Cup. “I don’t make decisions and I am fully aware of how the industry works. But I will not stop doing what I love because of the decisions made at the top.

The former Arsenal player added: “We players often feel like we are treated like numbers or marketable commodities. There are more games, more travel, more difficult conditions. We are just being asked to hydrate.”

“Unless footballers around the world unite – whether that means stopping or making bold decisions – the wheel will continue to turn,” he said.