Visas for the 2026 World Cup: requirements, tickets, and how to apply

Do you plan to attend the 2026 World Cup across the United States, Canada, and Mexico? Visa preparation is the part most fans get wrong, often because they confuse ticket processes with immigration processes. This guide covers what you actually need, country by country, and how to avoid the mistakes that leave fans stranded.

Do you need a visa for the 2026 World Cup?

For most international fans: yes. Visa requirements are set by the governments of the three host nations, the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and they depend entirely on your nationality, not your ticket status.

The confusion usually comes from terminology. When people search for a "FIFA visa" or "World Cup visa," they're describing a tourist visa for one of the three host countries, applied for through normal government channels. There is no special visa category for the tournament.

Host countries for the 2026 World Cup

The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across 16 cities:

• United States (11 cities): Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle
• Mexico (3 cities): Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey
• Canada (2 cities): Toronto, Vancouver

If your team plays group-stage matches in Dallas and then a knockout round in Toronto, you need valid entry authorization for both the US and Canada. Following a team through the full tournament could mean crossing all three countries, which means up to three separate visa applications.

FIFA tickets and visas: is there a connection?

Buying a ticket does not guarantee a visa. The two processes are completely separate.

A confirmed ticket purchase can help your visa application, it demonstrates you have a specific, time-bound reason to travel, but it does not change the criteria immigration officers apply. You can hold a valid ticket and still be denied a visa if your application is weak on other grounds: insufficient ties to your home country, unclear financial situation, or a history of overstays.

The practical problem this creates: if you apply for a visa before buying tickets and get denied, you haven't lost money on tickets. If you buy tickets first, then get denied, refunds depend on FIFA's policy at that stage of sales and are not guaranteed.

The safer sequence for nationals from countries with strict visa requirements is to apply for the visa first, then purchase tickets once you have approval.

The "FIFA visa presale" and "visa lottery" what these terms actually mean?

Neither of these is an official visa program. "FIFA visa presale" typically refers to ticket presale access offered to Visa cardholders (the payment company, not an immigration document). Visa Inc. is an official FIFA partner and offers early access to ticket purchases for its cardholders. This has nothing to do with immigration visas.

"FIFA visa lottery" and "World Cup visa lottery" are not official programs. Some fans use these terms loosely to describe FIFA's ticket allocation ballot, where demand for matches exceeds supply and tickets are assigned by random draw.

Again, this is a ticket process, not an immigration process. If you see third-party sites offering to secure a "FIFA visa" or enter you in a "World Cup visa lottery" for a fee, these are scams. Visa applications go through official government portals only.

Visa requirements by country

Before reading further, determine the starting point: your citizenship. It is your citizenship, not your ticket, itinerary, or budget, that determines what you need to obtain. For some fans, this takes three minutes online. For others, it takes several months and an in-person interview at the consulate.

Below are the requirements for each of the three host countries. If your itinerary conflicts with several countries, read all three sections: permits are not interchangeable, and skipping one means you risk missing the entire trip.

United States

Most fans will need either an ESTA or a B-1/B-2 tourist visa.

• ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) applies to nationals of the 42 countries in the US Visa Waiver Program, including the UK, most EU member states, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and others. ESTA is applied for online at esta.cbp.dhs.gov, costs $21, and is valid for two years or until your passport expires. Approval usually comes within minutes, though it can take up to 72 hours. Important: ESTA approval is not a guaranteed entry, Customs and Border Protection officers make the final decision at the port of entry.
• B-1/B-2 tourist visa is required for nationals not covered by the Visa Waiver Program, including most of South Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Latin America. Apply at a US embassy or consulate in your home country. Current processing times range from a few weeks to over a year depending on location, the US Department of State posts wait times by consulate at travel.state.gov. As of early 2026, some high-demand consulates (Lagos, Islamabad, New Delhi) have interview wait times exceeding six months. If you need a US visa, apply now.

Required documents include: valid passport (6+ months validity beyond your intended stay), DS-160 application form, visa application fee ($185), interview at a US consulate, proof of ties to your home country, financial evidence, and ideally confirmation of travel plans including accommodation.

Canada

Entry to Canada requires either an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) or a Visitor Visa, depending on nationality. eTA is available to nationals of around 50 countries, including EU member states, Australia, Japan, and others who are not US citizens. It costs CAD $7, is applied for online at canada.ca/eta, and is typically approved within minutes, though sometimes it takes a few days. It's linked to your passport and valid for five years.

Visitor Visa is required for nationals not covered by eTA, including many African, South Asian, and Middle Eastern passport holders. Processing times vary; Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) posts current wait times online. Biometric enrollment is required for most applicants. Budget 8–12 weeks minimum for a visitor visa application; more if your local visa application center is busy.

Note: If you already have a valid US visa or have held one recently, you may be eligible for eTA instead of a full visitor visa, check the IRCC website for current rules.

Mexico

Mexico has relatively open tourist entry policies. Nationals of most European countries, the US, Canada, UK, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and many others can enter visa-free for up to 180 days as tourists.

A tourist visa (FMM) is required for nationals of certain countries including China, India, Russia, and others. Apply at a Mexican consulate or embassy in your home country. Processing times are generally shorter than for US or Canadian visas, but allow at least four to six weeks.

Check current requirements at consulmex.sre.gob.mx or the Mexican embassy in your country, as the list of visa-free nationalities can change.

How to apply for a visa for the 2026 World Cup?

The process is the same as applying for any tourist visa. There is no special World Cup application track.

• Step 1: Identify which countries you need authorization for. List every city where you plan to attend matches and which country each is in. Check whether your nationality requires a visa, eTA, or ESTA for each.
• Step 2: Check current processing times. Processing times fluctuate significantly. Look up current wait times for your specific consulate or immigration authority before doing anything else, this determines your timeline.
• Step 3: Gather documents. Standard requirements across all three countries: Valid passport with at least six months of validity, completed application form, proof of accommodation, financial evidence, travel itinerary, tournament ticket confirmation.
• Step 4: Pay the application fee and book your appointment. US visa: $185. Canadian visitor visa: CAD $100. Mexican visa: approximately $36. Fees are non-refundable regardless of outcome.
• Step 5: Attend your interview. Required for US B-1/B-2 visas and many Canadian visitor visas. Be straightforward about the purpose of your trip. Officers are used to sports-related travel applications.

Do not book non-refundable flights or purchase tickets until you have visa approval in hand, unless you hold a visa-free or eTA status.

Can FIFA tickets help you get a visa?

Yes, in a supporting role. A FIFA ticket confirmation shows consular officers that you have a concrete, time-limited reason to be in the country. It supports your claim that you intend to leave after the tournament. Combined with a strong overall application it adds credibility.

On its own, a ticket does not overcome weak ties to your home country or a history of immigration violations. Officers look at the whole picture. Many applicants have been denied despite holding confirmed event tickets.

Traveling between the US, Canada, and Mexico during the tournament

Each country requires separate authorization. Having a US visa or ESTA does not cover Canada, and vice versa. A few useful rules:

• US visa holders may qualify for Canadian eTA rather than a full visitor visa, check IRCC's current policy
• ESTA holders (visa waiver countries) generally also qualify for eTA, the application is separate but straightforward
• Multiple-entry visas are standard for B-1/B-2 and Canadian visitor visas, so you can cross in and out more than once
• Border crossings between the US and Mexico by land are common; have your documentation ready for inspection

If you're driving from a US city to Monterrey for a match, you'll need valid Mexican authorization and will pass through Mexican customs at the border. Plan your route in advance and ensure every country on your itinerary is covered. A missed visa for one leg of the trip can end the whole journey.

Tips to avoid visa problems

The single most common preventable problem is waiting too long. If you need a US B-1/B-2 visa, starting your application in early 2026 is not too early.

• Don't buy tickets before your visa is confirmed if you're from a country with non-trivial visa refusal rates. Check refusal rate data for your nationality and the US, Canada, or Mexico to calibrate the risk.
• Apply for all needed countries at the same time. Consulates expect fans to be visiting multiple host nations. Applications referencing the other two countries' visas (e.g., "I also have a US ESTA") can actually strengthen your file.
• Use official channels only. Apply through official government portals. Third-party "visa services" that claim to expedite World Cup visas are, at best, document-collection intermediaries charging a markup. At worst, they're scams.
• Verify your passport validity now. Many people discover their passport expires in the middle of their trip. You need at least six months of validity beyond your return date for most visa applications.
• Track consulate appointment availability actively. US consulate interview slots in some cities fill months out. Set up alerts or check regularly, cancellations do appear.
• Keep copies of everything. Print or save digital copies of your visa, ticket confirmations, accommodation bookings, and travel insurance. Border officers may ask for any of these.

Final notes

The 2026 World Cup crosses three countries with different immigration systems. Most fans from visa-waiver countries will find the process straightforward, an ESTA and an eTA take under an hour to apply for and cost under $30 combined. For fans from countries that require full visa applications, particularly for the United States, the process demands planning that starts months ahead of the tournament. The one thing that won't help you is waiting.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Visa requirements and processing times change; always verify current information through official government sources before applying. Yesim is in no way associated with FIFA, the Organizing Committee for the FIFA World Cup, or Canada/Mexico/USA 2026. The term World Cup is used only for the purpose of properly describing certain events and without the specific permission of FIFA. FIFA’s official ticket site is www.fifa.com/en/tickets.