Media Contact: Carmen Ramos Chandler, carmen.chandler@csun.edu, (818) 677-2130
Sustainability and the World Cup are not necessarily contradictory concepts. Sheila Lakshmi Steinberg, director of California State University, Northridge’s Institute for Sustainability, argues that attending the FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament does not mean one has to sacrifice their dreams of championing sustainability.
The institute’s team has developed a micro website that not only lets you track the carbon footprint of your favorite team but also provides tips on how to get to games in a sustainable way and how to enjoy the communities you’re passing through as you head to the stadium.
“Sustainability is not just about things; it’s about people and culture. This is why the World Cup is so perfect for having this conversation,” said Steinberg. “Sustainability is healthy communities, strong economies and thriving places.” Through research, data storytelling and innovative tools developed by CSUN students, the World Cup Sustainability Microsite explores how the 2026 FIFA World Cup can leave a lasting legacy for both people and the planet.
“At first glance, a mega-event like the 2026 FIFA World Cup may seem at odds with sustainability,” she said. “But what if welcoming the world to Los Angeles could inspire more sustainable choices, support local communities and business, and leave a lasting legacy for future generations?”
The microsite, developed through student-led research, examines the environmental, social and economic impacts of hosting a mega-event and highlights how small actions — from taking public transit to supporting local businesses — can help create a more sustainable and inclusive World Cup legacy, Steinberg said. Steinberg shares, “Our Institute for Sustainability is as an interdisciplinary data cross-training ground for CSUN students to translate science into action.”
The site includes an easy-to-understand page, developed by computer science student Abdul Imran and geography and environmental studies graduate David Alexander Zepeda, that allows you to track the estimated carbon footprint of the team travel. You can look up by region and stadium the carbon footprint of each team.
Imran, who graduated in May and is now a researcher at the institute, also developed a guide for Southern California residents looking for sustainable and possibly less stressful ways of getting to SoFi Stadium, where World Cup games are being played in Los Angeles. The guide includes tips for people going to the games from throughout the Southland, including the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and San Gabriel Valleys, Los Angeles’s east and west sides and South Bay, and Ventura and Orange Counties. It includes which Metro and Metrolink lines to take, transfer recommendation and fare costs, as well as match day quick tips.
Imran noted that there are eight World Cup matches taking place in Los Angeles between June 12 and July 10, with an estimated 70,000 fans per match.
“That could be a lot of cars on the road,” he said, adding that providing tips on how get to the games without a car can make the day less stressful and more enjoyable for everyone “and it’s much better for the environment.”
The site also features research on CSUN attitude on sustainability by computer information technology student Sumedha Uppal and research on extreme heat by public health graduate students’ Elizabeth Chamberlin and Natasha Nanda’s extreme heat research.
“Many people do not realize how dangerous prolonged heat exposure can be until it directly affects them,” Chamberlin and Nanda said.
Steinberg said the microsite also includes a page that “celebrates something that makes Los Angeles unlike any other World Cup host city: its extraordinary cultural diversity.”
“Beyond the stadiums lies a rich tapestry of neighborhoods, traditions, cuisines, languages and communities that represent the world itself,” she said. “For instance, the San Fernando Valley, home to CSUN, offers visitors an opportunity to experience authentic cultural destinations, family-owned restaurants, public art, community festivals and hidden gems that reflect the many cultures that have shaped Southern California. The same can be said about communities throughout Southern California.
“By encouraging visitors to explore these communities responsibly, we can ensure that the benefits of the World Cup extend far beyond the match venues and into neighborhoods throughout the region.”
The Institute for Sustainability’s World Cup Sustainability Microsite can be found at https://live-csu-northridge.pantheonsite.io/fifa-world-cup-2026tm-sustainability-hub.
CSUN’s Institute for Sustainability, housed in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, is as an interdisciplinary data cross-training ground for CSUN students to translate science into action. The institute’s work focuses on building resilience to wildfire, extreme heat and climate change while supporting strong local economies. By partnering with local businesses and organizations, it creates hands-on opportunities that connect learning to real-world impact.
