The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Whether you need a visa depends entirely on your nationality and which host country’s matches you plan to attend.
The US hosts 78 of 104 matches, including every knockout round from the quarter-finals onward and the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Mexico and Canada each host 13 group-stage matches. Each country has its own visa rules, and a visa for one does not grant entry to the others, though there are some useful shortcuts.
This guide covers the visa process for all three host countries, the costs involved, FIFA PASS priority appointments, and practical tips for fans travelling from abroad.
Do You Need a Visa?
It depends on your passport. Here’s a quick breakdown by host country:
United States
Citizens of 42 Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries, mostly in Europe plus nations like Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Australia, can enter the US with an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) for US $40.27. Canadian and Bermudan passport holders need no visa or ESTA at all.
Everyone else needs a B-1/B-2 visitor visa, which requires an application, fee payment, and an in-person interview at a US embassy or consulate. This includes nationals from most countries in the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Canada
Citizens of visa-exempt countries (including most of Europe, the US, and select others like the UAE) need only an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), which costs CA $7 and is typically approved within minutes.
Everyone else, including nationals from India, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and most of Africa and Asia, needs a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).
Shortcut: If you hold a valid US visa or US permanent residency, you may qualify for a Canadian eTA instead of a full TRV, regardless of your nationality. Check the official eTA eligibility page to confirm.
Mexico
Citizens of many countries, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Japan, and the UAE, can enter Mexico visa-free for up to 180 days.
If your nationality requires a Mexican visa, there’s a major shortcut: holders of a valid visa or permanent residency from the US, Canada, the UK, any Schengen country, or Japan can enter Mexico without a separate Mexican visa for up to 180 days.
For everyone else, a Mexican tourist visa is required, applied for at a Mexican embassy or consulate.
How to Get a US Visa (B-1/B-2)
The US hosts the bulk of the tournament and has the most complex visa process. Here’s how it works step by step.
Step 1: Complete the DS-160 Form
Fill out the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application. This covers your personal details, travel history, employment, and purpose of visit. Print the confirmation page when done. You’ll need it at your interview.
Step 2: Pay the Application Fee
The MRV fee (visa application fee) is US $185. On top of that, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (signed into law on 4 July 2025) introduced a Visa Integrity Fee of US $250. However, as of April 2026, the Bureau of Consular Affairs has not yet begun collecting this fee at embassies and consulates. DHS has stated it requires cross-agency coordination before implementation.
Check with your local US embassy for the current fee before paying. If implemented by the time you apply, the total would be approximately US $435.
Step 3: Schedule Your Visa Interview
Book an interview at your nearest US embassy or consulate. Since October 2025, in-person interviews are required for nearly all nonimmigrant visa applicants. The only B-1/B-2 exception: if you’re renewing a visa that was issued for full validity and expired within the last 12 months, you may qualify for an interview waiver.
Step 4: Attend the Interview
Bring these documents:
- Valid passport (at least six months beyond your intended stay)
- DS-160 confirmation page
- Visa fee payment receipt
- A recent passport-sized photograph meeting US visa photo requirements
- Proof of funds (bank statements, salary slips)
- Evidence of ties to your home country (employment letter, property documents, family details)
- FIFA World Cup match tickets or booking confirmation
- Travel itinerary and hotel bookings
The consular officer needs to be convinced you’ll return home after the tournament. Strong ties to your home country, such as a stable job, property, or family, are the most critical factor.
How to Get a Canadian Visa (TRV)
If you need a Temporary Resident Visa for Canada, here’s the process:
- Apply online through the IRCC website or on paper at a Visa Application Centre (VAC)
- Pay the fee: CA $100 for a single or multiple-entry visa
- Provide biometrics (fingerprints and photo) if required for your nationality
- Submit documents: valid passport, proof of funds, travel itinerary, and return ticket
Processing typically takes 14 to 90 days depending on your country of residence. Applications from Western Europe and the US are usually fastest (14 to 30 days), while applications from South Asia and Africa can take 60 to 90 days or more.
Matches in Canada are held at BMO Field in Toronto and BC Place in Vancouver.
How to Get a Mexican Visa
If you don’t qualify for visa-free entry or the SAE shortcut, you’ll need to apply for a Mexican tourist visa:
- Complete the application form online or at a Mexican embassy/consulate
- Pay the fee: approximately US $56
- Schedule an appointment at your nearest Mexican embassy or consulate
- Submit documents: valid passport, passport-sized photos, bank statements, travel itinerary, and return ticket
- Attend the appointment and complete the interview process
Mexican visa processing is usually quick, taking 2 to 10 business days. Matches in Mexico are held at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City (including the opening match on 11 June), Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, and Estadio BBVA in Monterrey.
FIFA PASS: Priority US Visa Appointments
If you’ve bought World Cup tickets directly from FIFA, you’re eligible for FIFA PASS (Priority Appointment Scheduling System). This gives you faster access to a US embassy interview slot. Here’s how it works:
- Opt in through your FIFA.com account by submitting the FIFA PASS form
- Complete your DS-160, upload your photo, and pay the visa fee
- Schedule your interview and confirm you’re a FIFA ticket holder when prompted
Your name and passport number must match exactly across your passport, DS-160, and FIFA PASS opt-in. Even a missing middle name can lock you out of priority slots.
FIFA PASS does not waive visa requirements, guarantee approval, or exempt you from fees. It only gives you earlier access to appointment slots. You still go through the full interview and vetting process. Read our complete guide to FIFA PASS for the full process.
US Visa Costs and Complications
The Visa Bond Program
The US has expanded a Visa Bond Pilot Program that requires B-1/B-2 applicants from designated countries to post a refundable bond of US $5,000 to $15,000 at their visa interview. As of April 2026, the programme covers 50 countries, mostly in Africa, Central Asia, and parts of the Caribbean.
The bond amount is set by the consular officer at the interview. It is fully refunded when you comply with your visa terms and depart the US on time. Payment is made through the Treasury’s Pay.gov portal. The programme runs through 5 August 2026.
Check the US Department of State’s official list to see if your country is included.
Total US Visa Cost Breakdown
| Fee | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|
| MRV fee (visa application) | US $185 | Active |
| ESTA (Visa Waiver Program countries) | US $40.27 | Active |
| Visa Integrity Fee | US $250 | Enacted but not yet collected |
| Visa Bond (if applicable) | US $5,000 to $15,000 | Refundable upon departure |
US Visa Wait Times
Appointment wait times vary enormously by location. Fans applying from the Gulf should note that US embassies across the GCC have faced significant disruptions in 2026. Our country-by-country guide to US visa appointments in the GCC tracks the status of every post in the region.
For Indian applicants, wait times range from 1.5 to 3.5 months in Chennai (the fastest) to 9.5 to 10 months in Mumbai (the slowest). Kolkata, Hyderabad, and New Delhi fall in between. Choosing the right consulate can make the difference between getting an interview before the World Cup or missing it entirely.
Check the US Department of State’s visa wait time tracker for the latest appointment availability at your nearest embassy.
The 16 Host Cities and Stadiums
United States (11 Cities, 78 Matches)
| City | Stadium | Search Flights |
|---|---|---|
| New York / New Jersey | MetLife Stadium (Final) | Flights to New York |
| Los Angeles | SoFi Stadium | Flights to Los Angeles |
| Miami | Hard Rock Stadium | Flights to Miami |
| Dallas | AT&T Stadium | Flights to Dallas |
| Atlanta | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Flights to Atlanta |
| Houston | NRG Stadium | Flights to Houston |
| Philadelphia | Lincoln Financial Field | Flights to Philadelphia |
| Seattle | Lumen Field | Flights to Seattle |
| San Francisco Bay Area | Levi’s Stadium | Flights to San Francisco |
| Kansas City | GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium | Flights to Kansas City |
| Boston | Gillette Stadium | Flights to Boston |
Mexico (3 Cities, 13 Matches)
| City | Stadium | Search Flights |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico City | Estadio Azteca (Opening Match) | Flights to Mexico City |
| Guadalajara | Estadio Akron | Flights to Guadalajara |
| Monterrey | Estadio BBVA | Flights to Monterrey |
Canada (2 Cities, 13 Matches)
| City | Stadium | Search Flights |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto | BMO Field | Flights to Toronto |
| Vancouver | BC Place | Flights to Vancouver |
Search for hotels in New York, hotels in Los Angeles, hotels in Miami, hotels in Toronto, or any other host city on Wego to compare accommodation. For a full breakdown of planning your trip across all three countries, see our complete FIFA World Cup 2026 trip planning guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I enter Mexico with a US visa instead of getting a Mexican visa?
Yes. If you hold a valid US multiple-entry visa or permanent residency, you can enter Mexico for up to 180 days without a separate Mexican visa. The same applies if you hold a valid visa from Canada, the UK, a Schengen country, or Japan.
Can I enter Canada with a US visa instead of getting a Canadian visa?
Potentially. If you hold a valid US visa or US permanent residency, you may qualify for a Canadian eTA instead of a full Temporary Resident Visa. Check the official eTA eligibility page to confirm.
What is FIFA PASS and do I need it?
FIFA PASS is a priority appointment system that gives World Cup ticket holders faster access to US visa interview slots. You don’t need it if you already have a valid US visa or if your country is in the Visa Waiver Program. It’s most useful for fans from countries with long visa wait times who bought tickets directly from FIFA.
Do I need match tickets to apply for a US visa?
No. You can apply for a B-1/B-2 visa without having World Cup tickets. However, having tickets strengthens your application by showing a clear purpose. Match tickets purchased from FIFA are required to use the FIFA PASS priority appointment system.
What happens if my visa is denied after I’ve bought tickets?
A visa denial does not entitle you to a refund on your match tickets. FIFA’s ticket resale marketplace allows you to transfer tickets to other fans, so you may be able to recoup the cost. Keep this risk in mind when purchasing expensive knockout-round tickets.
Are US embassies in the Gulf still processing visa appointments?
Most US embassies and consulates across the GCC have suspended or severely limited routine visa services in 2026. For the latest status on every Gulf post, see our detailed guide to US visa appointments in the GCC.
Sources
- US Department of State – FIFA World Cup 2026 Visas
- US Department of State – FIFA PASS FAQ
- US Department of State – Visitor Visa
- US Department of State – Visa Waiver Program
- US Department of State – Visa Appointment Wait Times
- US Department of State – Countries Subject to Visa Bonds
- Government of Canada – eTA Eligibility
- Government of Canada – Visitor Visa
- FIFA – World Cup 2026 Travel, Visas, and FIFA PASS
- FIFA – World Cup 2026 Host Cities
- Wego – Complete Guide to FIFA PASS
- Wego – US Visa Appointments in the GCC
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
