Back in 2010, FIFA announced that the tiny country of Qatar would host the 2022 World Cup. It would be the first Middle Eastern country to do so. The tournament has seen thousands of fans travel to see it, with millions tuning in around the world. But it hasn’t been without controversy.

The event’s organisers claimed that it would be the first fully carbon-neutral World Cup. A big new solar park was built, fleets of electric buses were released onto the roads and climate-friendly projects were set up to offset emissions.

Some say that organisers are trying to do the right thing. But others are critical, arguing that emissions have been underestimated and that the carbon-neutral claim is misleading.

This episode dives into the debate and asks if the 2022 World Cup was really as green as it seemed.

Presenters Graihagh Jackson and Luke Jones are joined by:
Rumaitha Al Busaidi, Omani football pundit and climate change activist
Khaled Diab, Communications Director at not-for-profit Carbon Market Watch
Zach Banzon, goalkeeper for Kaya FC in the Philippines and “Team Player” for We Play Green
Peter Ball, Journalist, BBC World Service

Producers: Lilly Freeston and Sophie Eastaugh
Researcher: Natasha Fernandes
Production Coordinators: Helena Warwick-Cross and Siobhan Reed
Series Producer: Alex Lewis
Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith
Sound Engineer: Tom Brignell