Are you travelling to the FIFA World Cup this summer? If so, you may want to take some time out to consider the current rules you must follow when travelling to the USA, Mexico and Canada.
The situation in two of the three host countries (the USA and Mexico) is far from ideal for tourists at present, with the safety of tourists currently a hot topic of debate. Leaving that alone for a moment, it's important to acknowledge that travelling to these nations has never been as simple as just booking a flight and turning up.
Below, we run through all the of the necessary documentation you will need to enter all three countries, and provide information on how to go about applying for everything you need.
World Cup travel rules – Country by country
USA
To enter the USA this summer, you are going to need to present three key documents upon arrival. These are:
- A valid passport
- A visa or ESTA
- Proof of return travel
The key thing to decipher here is whether you will need a visa or an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization).
If you are coming from a country that is part of the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP), such as the United Kingdom, then an ESTA will suffice. To get an ESTA, you must apply through the official Department of Homeland Security's webiste. The process is quick, and once approved, you will even be able to receive the ESTA digitally.
If you need a visa, then you must apply through the Consular Electronic Application Center at a cost of $185. This process is far lengthier than an ESTA application and will also include an interview at a US Embassy.
Travelling to Canada for the FIFA World Cup 2026™? Remember that no one can guarantee you a Canadian visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA). If someone contacts you by email, phone or text claiming they can, it’s a scam!
— IRCC (@CitImmCanada) February 27, 2026
Learn how you can protect yourself from… pic.twitter.com/Pvi1KaVJTh
Mexico
To enter Mexico this summer, all UK tourists will need the following documents:
- A valid passport
- A Tourist Card
- Proof of return travel
As you can see, no visa is required to enter Mexico if you are coming from the United Kingdom. However, fans from certain countries, such as China and South Africa, will need to obtain one.
On top of a passport and proof of return travel, all that fans from the UK need is a completed Tourist Card, which is most commonly handed to you to fill out on the plane or at the immigration desk upon arrival in Mexico.
Canada
The documentation needed to enter Canada is similar to what is required to enter the USA, but not identical. The three documents all tourists need are:
- A valid passport
- An eTA or visa
- Proof of return travel
Whether you need an eTA ( or not depends on whether you are from a country on Canada's approved eTA list. The majority of European countries, including the United Kingdom, are on the approved list, which makes life easier, as eTA's are quick and easy to obtain.
To get one, you just need to apply via the Government of Canada's official website. The process is quick and costs just CAD$7.
If you are from a country not on the eTA approved list, then you must obtain an official Canadian visiting visa. Some of the notable countries that don't feature on the approved list include Argentina, Brazil and China.