Football, fossil fuels, and public health in the era of climate crisis

Global professional football (soccer in the United States) is increasingly integrated with fossil fuel–derived capital through club ownership, expansive sponsorship deals, and tournament hosting. While often discussed in ethical or political terms, these developments have received limited attention from an environmental health perspective. This commentary examines the growing alignment between fossil fuel-derived wealth and global football, focusing primarily on club ownership, while situating it within a broader ecosystem of commercial and geopolitical influence. We argue that these relationships function as a commercial determinant of health by shaping social norms, legitimizing carbon-intensive industries, and delaying policy action on climate change. Drawing parallels to the historical regulation of tobacco sponsorship, we highlight how such dynamics contribute to the persistence of exposures that drive climate-related health risks. Climate change is the great public health challenge of the 21st century, just as tobacco was in the 20th century. Greater scrutiny, transparency, and leadership from the public health community with regard to fossil fuel–derived funding of sport are warranted. It is no longer acceptable for major sporting bodies and events to accept tobacco industry funding. It should also be unacceptable for them to accept fossil fuel–derived funding.