为了举办2026年世界杯比赛，体育场必须至少获得LEED银级认证。GBCI的 Rebeca Ortiz 指出，这些场馆旨在造福当地社区。升级1966年启用的阿兹特克体育场（Azteca Stadium，又名Banorte体育场）花费了数千万美元，透过更换每次冲水消耗15公升（约4加仑）的马桶，实现了LEED白金级认证。相比之下，蒙特雷的BBVA体育场和瓜达拉哈拉的阿克隆体育场（Akron Stadium）等较新的场馆已符合设计标准。由 Alberto Salvador Molina 管理的BBVA体育场于2024年获得了LEED营运与维护金级认证。

在像是 Job Rocha 等顾问的指导下，获得营运认证需要可验证的营运数据。BBVA体育场采用了LED照明，减少了30%的电力消耗，并透过可重复使用的杯子和永续供应商合约，在比赛期间减少了90%的PET塑胶。水表数量从6个增加到20个以优化灌溉。为了确保室内空气品质和舒适度，该场馆投资了超过100万披索（约57,400美元），用于配备先进感测器的二氧化碳抽取系统。

然而，国际足总（FIFA）的要求与环保目标存在冲突。FIFA规定世界杯比赛必须在天然草皮上进行，并使用稀缺的饮用水进行灌溉。虽然人工草皮每天需要900公升（238加仑）的水进行温度控制，但天然草皮每天需要50,000公升（13,209加仑）的水——是其50倍，相当于333位墨西哥人（平均每人每天150公升或40加仑）的日常用水量。这种高耗水量引发了阿兹特克体育场邻近的圣乌尔苏拉科阿帕（Santa Ursula Coapa）居民的抗议，暴露了环境认证与当地资源公平之间的紧张关系。

To host 2026 World Cup matches, stadiums must hold at least a Silver LEED certification. Rebeca Ortiz of GBCI notes these venues aim to benefit local communities. Upgrading the 1966 Azteca Stadium (Banorte) cost tens of millions of dollars to achieve Platinum LEED by replacing toilets using 15 liters (about 4 gallons) per flush. Newer venues like Monterrey's BBVA Stadium and Guadalajara's Akron Stadium already met design standards. BBVA, managed by Alberto Salvador Molina, achieved Gold LEED for operations in 2024.

Certification required verifiable operational metrics, guided by consultants like Job Rocha. BBVA Stadium adopted LED lighting, reducing electricity use by 30 percent, and eliminated 90 percent of matchday PET plastics via reusable cups and sustainable vendor contracts. Water meters increased from 6 to 20 to optimize irrigation. For indoor air quality and comfort, the venue invested over 1 million pesos (about $57,400 USD) in a carbon dioxide extraction system with advanced sensors.

However, FIFA requirements conflict with conservation. FIFA mandates natural grass irrigated with scarce potable water. While artificial turf uses 900 liters (238 gallons) daily, natural grass needs 50,000 liters (13,209 gallons)—50 times more, matching the daily consumption of 333 Mexicans (averaging 150 liters or 40 gallons each). This high consumption triggered protests in Azteca's neighboring Santa Ursula Coapa, exposing tension between environmental certifications and local resource equity.