Travel Requirements for FIFA World Cup 2026™

Whether you are traveling by air, sea, or land to Canada, Mexico, or the United States, you must have:

• (1) a valid (unexpired) passport and
• (2) a valid (unexpired) visa, travel authorization (e.g. eTA for Canada, or ESTA for USA, if eligible for visa waiver travel), or visa exception (if eligible).

Important Reminders:

• A FIFA World Cup 2026™ ticket does not guarantee a visa or admission to Canada, Mexico, or the United States.
• You may apply for a visa at any time. Given processing times, FIFA recommends applying for a visa(s) as early as possible.
• FIFA also recommends ensuring that your passport will not expire until well after your planned travel – a best practice is to ensure that your passport is valid for at least a year after your trip.

NEW FIFA PASS

The FIFA PASS is a voluntary, opt-in process that allows FIFA World Cup 2026™ ticket holders travelling to the United States the opportunity to obtain an expedited visa interview, if needed.

If you are from a country that participates in the U.S. visa waiver program (ESTA) and/or in a country that currently has open visa interview appointments, you do not need to use the FIFA PASS. You should apply for your visa or ESTA now at: FIFA World Cup 2026™ - United States Department of State. If you already have a valid visa to the United States, you will not need to use FIFA PASS.FIFA PASS is only available for fans who have tickets from FIFA.com/tickets or from On Location.

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE FIFA PASS

1. If you are the ticket holder, click here to log in to your FIFA.com account and submit the opt-in form for FIFA PASS.
   1. Your name and passport number in the FIFA PASS opt-in form should be entered exactly as they appear in your passport.

2. Save the KEY at the top of your opt-in confirmation page.

   1. If you have more than 1 ticket and your guests / ticket holders need support with a prioritized visa appointment, you will need to send them that key. They will then need to create a FIFA ID using their full name as it appears in their passport, and opt-in to the FIFA PASS using that key.
   2. Your key can only be used for each of your tickets purchased.

3. Start your U.S. visa application process at www.state.gov/fifa-world-cup-26

   1. Select your country of nationality or residence where you’ll be applying.
   2. Fill out the DS-160 visa application form.
   3. Your name and passport number on the DS-160 must match exactly what you listed in the FIFA PASS opt-in form.

4. Schedule your visa interview appointment

   1. Upload a current photo and pay your visa fee.
   2. If asked if you’re a FIFA ticket holder, be sure to answer “yes”
   3. If your info in the visa system matches FIFA's ticketholder data, you'll get access to a FIFA PASS priority appointment.

5. Attend your interview and answer all questions truthfully.

Have a question? Visit https://www.state.gov/fifa-world-cup-26 or FIFA’s FAQs here.

Canada Travel Information

To travel to Canada, you may need a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Find out what you need to travel to Canada.

• Visitor Visa: Most travelers need a visitor visa to travel to Canada. A visitor visa is an official document that shows that you meet the requirements needed to travel to Canada. This visa is put in your passport. How to apply for a visitor visa - Canada.ca
• Electronic Travel Authorization: An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is an entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals traveling to Canada only by air.

An eTA is electronically linked to the passport used to apply. You can only apply on the official Government of Canada website.

Minors: In Canada, a child under the age of 18 is considered a minor. They must follow the same rules to enter Canada as any other visitor.

• The documents a minor child needs to enter Canada depend on whether the child is travelling alone or with someone. For more information please visit: Minor children travelling to Canada - Canada.ca.

Mexico Travel Information

Travelers engaging in non-renumerated (unpaid) activities (example: transit, tourism, business, short studies) for stays up to 180 days do not need a visitor visa to enter Mexico in the following cases:

• Nationals (passport holders) of the countries listed on this link.
• Permanent residents of Canada, the U.S., Japan, the U.K., a Schengen Area country, or country members of the Pacific Alliance.
• Holders of a valid (unexpired) multiple entry visa from Canada, the U.S., Japan, the U.K., or a Schengen Area country.

Travelers who are not eligible for a visa exemption based on nationality, permanent residence status, or possession of a valid third-country visa must apply for a Visitor Visa for stays of up to 180 days through a Mexican consular office: https://www.gob.mx/gobierno/mexico-en-el-mundo

Nationals of Ukraine, Turkey, and Russia traveling to Mexico by air may apply for a single-entry Electronic Travel Authorization (SAE) in lieu of a paper visa, for stays of up to 180 days.

Minors: For the purpose of international treaties and legal adulthood, in Mexico, individuals under the age of eighteen (18) are considered minors. In the case of minors, or individuals under guardianship, they must present a document showing authorization to leave Mexico from the persons who hold parental authority or guardianship, granted before a public notary or competent authority.

USA Travel Information

Anyone attending the FIFA World Cup 2026™ must first understand what documents they will need to enter the United States. The U.S. Department of State’s website describes these requirements in detail, and will show you:

• What identity document is acceptable for border crossings. In most cases, this document will be a valid passport, but you can learn more at this website: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/western-hemisphere-travel-initiative
• Whether you require a visa or whether you qualify to participate in a visa-waiver program.

In most cases, fans will have to either apply for:

• ESTA visa waiver program; or
• a B1 (business)/B2 (tourism) visa.

ESTA Travel Information

Nationals of 42 countries in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), who do not already have a visitor visa, are eligible to travel to the USA for tourism or business by participating in the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) visa-waiver program.

• To see if you are qualify for an ESTA, click here. 

ESTA is an electronic process. Please note that there are restrictions for some individuals who hold a second passport and/or for individuals who have traveled to certain countries – make sure to review the qualifications carefully.

For most individuals, the ESTA covers 90 days stay in the United States for one year – it is very important to not overstay those 90 days. The ESTA visa wavier authorization is generally valid for a total period of two years, or when the individual’s passport expires, whichever is earlier.

B1/B2

If you do not qualify for ESTA or your ESTA is denied, you will need to apply for a B1/B2 visa here.

The general application process consists of the following steps and can be found in greater detail at the U.S. Department of State’s website:

1. Completing the DS-160 visa application form

2. Paying the application fee

3. Booking/Scheduling an interview

4. Attending the interview

5. Receiving your visa in your passport – this is a stamped visa in your passport and will require the US embassy or consulate to keep your passport for a short time period following your visa interview and/or if additional processing is required, for you to return your passport to the US embassy or consulate once processing is complete and provided you qualify for the visa.

In most circumstances, Canadian citizens do not require a visa to enter the United States to visit. For details on exceptions, please see Canadians requiring visas. Permanent residents of Canada must follow the requirements for nationals of their home country.

Neither a visa nor an approved ESTA guarantees admissions into the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the port of entry have the authority to permit or deny admission for a variety of reasons including (but not limited to) suspicion of immigrant intent, unauthorized employment, and fraud.

Be sure to understand how long you may stay in the United States. Staying longer than the date CBP authorizes, or beyond 90 consecutive days with an approved ESTA, carries consequences that may affect your ability to travel to the United States in the future and/or other penalties.

Trusted Traveler Programs

With millions of fans anticipated to travel to the FIFA World Cup 2026™, and with large number of travelers for normal summer activities, there will likely be long lines at airports and land border crossings.

To speed up your travel, we recommend fans check to see if they qualify for Trusted Traveler Programs to take advantage of fast-track clearance upon arrival in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. These include:

For entry into the US:

• Individuals from a select number of countries may be eligible for Global Entry. Learn more here.
• A select number of US airports also allow for travelers who have Global Entry to register for the Global Entry Mobile App. This app enables members to validate their arrival to the U.S. on their iOS or Android device prior to entering.
• A select number of US airports allow for travelers who are US citizens or Canadians traveling on a B1/B2 visa to use Mobile Passport Control. This app allows eligible travelers to submit their travel document, photo, and customs declaration information through a free, secure app on their smartphone or other mobile device to streamline their customs process. 

For entry into US and Canada:

• U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, Canadian citizens and lawful permanent residents and Mexican nationals who are members of Mexico’s trusted traveller program, Viajero Confiable are eligible to apply for membership in the U.S./Canada NEXUS program. NEXUS allows pre-screened travellers to use NEXUS kiosks when entering Canada by air and Global Entry kiosks when entering the United States via Canadian Preclearance airports. 

For entry into Mexico:

• Mexico’s trusted traveller program, Viajero Confiable, is available to Mexican nationals, as well as U.S. and Canadian citizens who are Global Entry and NEXUS program members, subject to prior enrollment and approval by Mexico’s National Immigration Institute (INM), and allows travelers to use automated kiosks and expedited immigration lanes at participating Mexican airports.
• At several airports, Mexico has E-GATES which allow eligible travellers to complete immigration entry through an automated process. E-Gates may be used by people over 18 years old who enter Mexico for tourist purposes and hold an electronic passport from the following nationalities: Austria, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Republic of Korea, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America. For World Cup fans, E-Gates are located at the airports in Mexico City, Cancún, Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, San José del Cabo, and Querétaro. Watch this video with more information.

Know Before You Go

Click these links for top tips on what to bring or not bring to Canada, Mexico, or the United States for the FIFA World Cup 2026™:

🇺🇸 USA: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/cbp-welcomes-you-fifa-world-cup-2026[SA1]

🇲🇽 Mexico: https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/eua/index.php/en/2016-04-09-20-40-51/tourism/1601-3-know-before-you-go

🇨🇦 Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/soccer-2026/information-fans-travellers.html