Entry Requirements for 2026 FIFA World Cup Visitors
This document provides guidance for international travellers seeking visa and immigration information for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament will take place across 16 cities in three host countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico, from mid-June to July 2026.
The expanded format includes 48 teams and a projected attendance of over 5.5 million visitors. Visitors are advised to confirm visa requirements specific to their nationality before travel.
Visa Categories for Travelling to the United States
For those attending matches hosted in the United States, the following visa types may apply:
- B-2 Visitor Visa: Intended for tourism, including sports event attendance. Most fans will apply under this category.
- Visa Waiver Program (VWP): Nationals of eligible countries may enter the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa under ESTA authorisation.
- Work Visas: Individuals working for FIFA, media, security, or infrastructure must apply for an appropriate employment-authorised visa. Work permits will be issued without restrictions in accordance with tournament hosting guarantees.
Immigration controls will remain consistent with national standards. FIFA and national governments have agreed to facilitate entry without undermining immigration and security policies.
Click below to see more information about the current available visa types for the United States of America.
USA Visa TypesEntry Requirements for Matches in Canada
Visitors travelling to matches hosted in Toronto and Vancouver must observe Canadian immigration procedures:
- Temporary Resident Visa (TRV): Required for visitors from non-exempt countries.
- Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA): Required for visa-exempt foreign nationals entering by air.
- Permits for Work and Media Personnel: Canada will issue permits as required for accredited tournament participants.
Travellers are advised to use the official Canada Immigration website to verify eligibility and processing timelines. Entry facilitation measures will be enacted to ensure operational efficiency throughout the tournament.
Entry Requirements for Matches in Mexico
Visitors entering Mexico for matches in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey may require:
- Visitor Visa (Visa de Visitante sin Permiso para Realizar Actividades Remuneradas): Applicable to most tourists and sports spectators.
- Visa Exempt Entry: Available for citizens of specific countries, including those holding valid U.S., Canadian, Schengen, or Japanese visas.
- Temporary Resident Permits: To be arranged for media, technical staff, and other professionals involved in tournament organisation.
The Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM) will provide express processing channels at points of entry for accredited personnel.
2026 World Cup Venue Distribution and Regional Travel
Travellers should ensure their travel documentation allows entry to all relevant countries. Inter-country travel across North America will be frequent and may involve multiple immigration checkpoints.
To optimise travel efficiency and manage fan mobility, matches will be clustered into three main regional zones:
SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles
New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium)
Dallas (AT&T Stadium)
San Francisco Bay Area (Levi's Stadium)
Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
Seattle (Lumen Field)
Miami (Hard Rock Stadium)
Houston (NRG Stadium)
The city of Kansas City, Missouri (Arrowhead Stadium)
Boston/Foxborough (Gillette Stadium)
Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field)
Vancouver (BC Place Stadium)
Toronto (BMO Field)
Mexico City (Azteca Stadium)
Monterrey (BBVA Bancomer Stadium)
Guadalajara (Estadio Akron)
Infrastructure and Immigration Readiness
Each host country has committed to upgrading relevant airports, stadiums, and checkpoints to accommodate the increased inflow. FIFA requires that:
- Airports handle at least 1,450 arrivals per hour.
- Stadiums meet minimum capacity standards (40,000 for group games, 80,000 for the final).
- Hotel Capacity meets FIFA’s lodging requirements per match location.
Governments have also agreed to:
- Provide expedited immigration lanes for accredited personnel.
- Issue non-discriminatory visa approvals.
Honour tax exemptions for FIFA and affiliated entities from appointment through December 2028.
Travel Visa Guidance for World Cup Personnel
The following individuals are granted facilitated entry procedures:
- FIFA officials and tournament organisers.
- Accredited media and broadcasters.
National team staff and players.
- Hospitality and stadium operations staff.
All work permits and visas for these categories are to be issued without restrictions or discretionary delays. Each government must guarantee timely issuance of legitimate permits for tournament-related activities.
To optimise travel efficiency and manage fan mobility, matches will be clustered into three main regional zones:
Western Zone:
- Vancouver (Canada)
- Seattle
- San Francisco Bay Area
- Los Angeles
- Guadalajara (Mexico)
Central Zone:
- Monterrey (Mexico)
- Mexico City
- Dallas
- Houston
- Atlanta
- Kansas City
Eastern Zone:
- Toronto (Canada)
- Boston/Foxborough
- Philadelphia
- Miami
- New York/New Jersey
Travellers should ensure their travel documentation allows entry to all relevant countries. Inter-country travel across North America will be frequent and may involve multiple immigration checkpoints.
Instructions for Travellers
- Apply early to avoid peak delays
- Ensure passport validity for at least 6 months from date of entry
- Secure valid entry permissions for each host country if travelling between venues
- Retain proof of match tickets or official FIFA accreditation as part of documentation
In accordance with FIFA’s guidelines, no individual should be denied access due to nationality or background, provided standard immigration policies are observed.
Visa-free access may be permitted where host countries agree and will be clearly published through government channels.
Visas, permits, immigration, check-in procedures for the 2026 World Cup
It is anticipated that a considerable number of foreign nationals will enter and exit the Host Country/Host Countries because the FIFA World Cup is a global athletic event in which teams from all 211 FIFA member associations may compete and which poses enormous organizational issues. This includes:
- Individuals involved in the preparation and organization of the Competition throughout the entirety of the preparation phase;
- Persons engaged in the preparation of the stay of participating teams in the Competition in the year leading up to the Competition; and
- Individuals entering and traveling throughout the Host Country/Countries during the Competition.
To meet the demands of the various groups of individuals, the Government is urged to develop a visa-free environment or to streamline the visa application process. All visa procedures must be applied in a non-discriminatory manner.
The Competition’s success will largely depend on the ease with which foreign nationals may visit the Host Country/Host Countries in connection with the Competition (also at short notice). It is acknowledged, however, that such ease of access to the Host Country/Countries must in no way compromise national immigration and security norms in the Host Country/Countries.
In addition, to support the preparation, organization, hosting, and staging of the Competition, the Government must ensure that certain individuals have access to expedited immigration procedures, such as express lanes and other specialized services. In particular, the persons participating in the planning and organisation of the Competition must be empowered to carry out their jobs in an efficient manner.