Complete guide to obtaining a visa for the FIFA World Cup 2026

Scheduled from 11 June to 19 July 2026, the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be a historic event bringing together millions of supporters from around the world across three host countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico.

This expanded and unique edition invites international visitors to familiarise themselves with visa requirements, immigration procedures, and the new tools introduced by governments to facilitate travel to the host countries.

1. Practical advice for obtaining the right visa to attend the 2026 World Cup

To maximise your chances of obtaining the visa or travel authorisation required for the FIFA World Cup 2026:

✔️ Start your application as early as possible — several weeks or even months before your trip.
✔️ Prepare a complete application file, including: return flight tickets, match tickets, hotel reservations, proof of funds, and evidence of employment or financial stability.
✔️ If possible, use the FIFA PASS system for the United States, which may reduce waiting times for visa interview appointments.
✔️ Regularly check entry requirements on official embassy or government websites for the United States, Canada and Mexico.

2. Which visas are required to attend the 2026 World Cup matches in the United States?

For supporters wishing to attend matches in the United States, the available visa options are as follows:

Nationality	Visa type	Comments
Countries participating in the US Visa Waiver Program	ESTA	If the ESTA application is refused, a B1/B2 visa must be requested
Countries not participating in the Visa Waiver Program	B1/B2 visa	Standard visitor visa
Countries subject to travel restrictions*	None	No exemptions have been announced by the United States for this event

* Afghanistan, Burma, Burkina Faso, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Cote D’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

🔹 ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) – This system is available to nationals of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program.
The application must be submitted individually on the official website.

Although it is not technically a visa, it is an electronic travel authorisation required prior to travelling to the United States.

🔹Visa B-1/B-2 – The B-1/B-2 visa is the standard visitor visa for tourism or business purposes.
It is required for nationals of many countries that are not eligible for ESTA.

Due to the expected influx of international supporters, the United States has introduced specific measures to improve the visa application process, particularly through the FIFA PASS programme.

What is the FIFA PASS for the United States?

For the FIFA World Cup 2026, the US government has introduced a system called “FIFA PASS”, also known as the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System.

This mechanism allows ticket holders who purchased their tickets directly through FIFA to access priority visa interview appointments.

Objective of FIFA PASS

• Allow international supporters to schedule visa interviews in advance at US embassies or consulates.
• Reduce sometimes lengthy waiting times for interview appointments, which is particularly important for B-1/B-2 visa applications.
  

 Important 

• The FIFA PASS only provides priority access to a visa interview appointment.
  It does not exempt applicants from standard admission requirements.
• Holding a FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket and registering for FIFA PASS does not guarantee that a visa will be granted. All applicants must still undergo the usual checks and demonstrate that they meet eligibility criteria.

How to obtain a B-1/B-2 visa using FIFA PASS

1. Purchase a FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket on the official FIFA website
2. Log in to your FIFA account
3. Enter your name and passport number exactly as shown on your passport
4. Start your visa application on the official website

Then:

→ Select your country of nationality or residence
→ Complete the DS-160 online form
→ Enter your name and passport number (matching the details entered on the FIFA website)

Next steps:

5. Schedule a visa appointment (ensure you answer “Yes” to the question: Do you have a FIFA 2026 ticket?)
6. Attend the appointment at the selected US consulate or embassy

⚠️ Some nationalities may be required to provide a security bond of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000, depending on nationality.
This amount is refunded after departure from the United States if no immigration violations occur.

Which visas are required to attend the 2026 World Cup matches in Canada?

In Canada, there is no specific visa dedicated to the FIFA World Cup 2026. Standard tourist entry requirements apply.

Nationality	Visa type	Comments
Countries with visa agreements with Canada	eTA	Entry by air only. If refused, a visitor visa must be requested
Countries without visa agreements	Visitor visa (TRV)	Required

🔹 eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization)
Travellers who are eligible must submit their application online via the official government website.

🔹 Visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa – TRV)
For other nationalities, the application must be submitted through the IRCC portal (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada).

1. Steps include:
2. Create an account on the IRCC portal
3. Select “Visit Canada”
4. Complete the eligibility questionnaire
5. Submit the required documents
6. Pay the application fees
   • CAD 100 visa fee
   • CAD 85 biometric fee
7. Schedule an appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC)
8. Attend the appointment for biometrics and photograph
9. Wait for the decision (processing time usually 3 to 8 weeks)

Documents required for a Canadian visitor visa (TRV)

Basic documents

• Valid passport (including pages with stamps or visas)
• Passport photograph compliant with Canadian standards
• IMM 5257 visitor visa application form

 Proof of travel purpose

• Explanation letter
• Hotel reservation or accommodation confirmation
• Return flight tickets
• Evidence that the trip is intended to attend FIFA World Cup 2026 matches

Financial proof

• Recent bank statements (3 to 6 months)
• Salary certificate or employment contract
• Proof of income or savings
• Financial sponsorship if applicable (for example for children)

Proof of ties to the country of residence (CRUCIAL)

This is often the determining factor:

• Employment certificate and approved leave
• Employment contract
• School certificate (for children)
• Property ownership documents
• Evidence of stable family situation

💡 The objective of these documents is to demonstrate that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay.

Applications should be submitted well in advance, as visa demand and processing times are likely to increase during the World Cup period.

Which visas are required to attend the 2026 World Cup matches in Mexico?

As in Canada, Mexico does not provide a specific visa for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Standard tourist entry requirements apply.

Nationality	Visa type	Comments
Visa-exempt nationalities	Visa exemption	FMM form to complete before or upon arrival
Nationals holding a valid multiple-entry visa for the US, Canada, the UK, Japan or Schengen countries	Visa exemption	FMM form required
Other nationalities	Visitor visa	Valid for 6 months with multiple entries

🔹 Visa exemption, Many nationalities are visa-exempt or may enter Mexico if they hold a valid visa issued by the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan or a Schengen country, provided that the visa is physically affixed in their passport.

🔹 Visitor visa For travellers who are not visa-exempt, an application must be submitted via the official Mexican consulate website in the country of residence.
For example, in France, the procedure generally involves: 

1. Creating an account on the official website
2. Completing the online application form
3. Uploading all required documents
4. Scheduling an appointment
5. Attending the appointment at the consulate

⚠️ Appointment slots usually open at the end of each month for the following month, according to a specific schedule.
If the “visa” option does not appear, it means no appointments are currently available.

Conclusion

Although the FIFA World Cup 2026™ is one of the most anticipated sporting events in the world, obtaining a visa to attend the matches remains a separate process from purchasing match tickets.

Compliance with immigration laws, visa requirements and security checks remains essential.

By planning early and carefully following the specific requirements of each host country, you significantly increase your chances of enjoying the unique experience of the FIFA World Cup 2026 under the best possible conditions.