Allegedly Climate-Neutral Football World Cup: Consumer Association Wins Lawsuit Against FIFA

• FIFA promoted the Qatar World Cup with statements such as “fully climate-neutral”, “energy-efficient stadiums” and “low-emission transport”.
• The Federation of German Consumer Organisations filed a lawsuit against FIFA for consumer deception and greenwashing.
• The Berlin Regional Court ruled that these disputed statements on FIFA’s website are unlawful (not legally binding).

“Fully climate-neutral tournament”, “energy-efficient stadiums”: The Qatar World Cup came with big promises on climate protection. Even before the 2022 event, these claims were controversial. Now, the Federation of German Consumer Organisations has achieved a first legal success against FIFA: The Berlin Regional Court has prohibited the world football association from making several misleading advertising statements about the allegedly climate-neutral World Cup in Qatar.

Ramona Pop, Executive Director, Federation of German Consumer Organisations:
“This judgement shows: FIFA misled consumers. Anyone making sustainability promises must be able to substantiate them transparently. Many people take the goal of protecting the climate very seriously. Against this backdrop, greenwashing is a real problem.”

Berlin Regional Court declares several statements unlawful

The following statements on FIFA’s German website are, in the context presented there, unlawful according to the judgement (translated into English language):

• “FIFA and the host country have committed to delivering a fully climate-neutral FIFA tournament in 2022, thereby setting a benchmark for environmental responsibility in the region.”
• “The sustainability strategy for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 includes a comprehensive set of initiatives to reduce tournament-related emissions, including energy-efficient stadiums, low-emission transport and sustainable waste management.”
• “In addition, any remaining unavoidable emissions will be offset to ensure a fully carbon-neutral event.”

FIFA’s climate-neutrality claims were misleading

The Berlin Regional Court agreed with the consumer association that the disputed advertising statements were misleading. Environmental claims require particularly high standards of accuracy, clarity and transparency. Where ambiguous terms such as “climate-neutral” are used, it is necessary to explain their precise meaning clearly in the advertising. According to the court, FIFA failed to do so.

The advertising indicated the alleged climate neutrality would be achieved not only through reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also partly through offsetting tournament-related emissions. However, it remained completely unclear to what extent emissions would actually be reduced or merely compensated, for example through the purchase of certificates. This creates the risk that consumers overestimate the share of emission reductions, which are paramount for climate protection, the court said.

Judgement of Berlin Regional Court II dated 16 October 2025, Case No. 52 O 53/23 – not legally binding