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Official Entry Guide 2026

World Cup 2026
Visa & Entry Guide

The "United" Problem: there is NO single World Cup visa. This tournament spans 3 countries, 3 border systems, and 3 sets of entry rules. Here is everything you need.

⏱ Act Now — US B1/B2 visa interview wait times are currently 6–12 months in many countries. If you need a visa for the USA, book your embassy appointment immediately. The tournament begins June 2026.
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  Your Passport
  Match Destination
USA United States
US Entry Requirements
11 host cities across 9 US states. Most fans will need an ESTA or full visa.
ESTA — Visa Waiver
UK, EU, Australia, Japan & 37 other countries
Easy
100% online application — no embassy visit required
Valid for 2 years or until passport expiry
Allows multiple entries, up to 90 days per stay
Apply at least 72 hours before flying — don't leave it to the airport
If you've visited Cuba, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan, Syria or Libya after 2011, you are not eligible for ESTA and need a full B1/B2 visa
B1/B2 Tourist Visa
India, Pakistan, China, Nigeria & most other passports
Plan Ahead
Embassy interview is mandatory — this cannot be done online
Interview wait times are currently 6–12 months in many countries. Book now.
Valid for 10 years once approved (multiple entry)
Apply DS-160 form online first, then schedule interview
Bring: bank statements, employment proof, hotel bookings, match tickets
DS-160 Application $185 USD 6–12 months
US Pro Tip
If your passport normally requires a B1/B2 visa but you already hold a valid, unexpired US visa from a previous trip, you can re-enter the United States without a new visa application — the existing visa is still valid regardless of passport renewal. Keep the old passport with the visa stamp.
Mexico Mexico
Mexico Entry Requirements
Mexico City, Guadalajara & Monterrey. No pre-arrival visa for most fans.
Visa-Free + FMM Form
Most EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia & 60+ countries
Visa-Free
No pre-arrival visa needed — entry is granted on arrival
Complete an FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple) card — now done digitally at many airports
Permitted stay: up to 180 days
Keep your FMM receipt — you must present it when leaving. A lost FMM causes exit delays and a small fine.
Official FMM Portal Free On Arrival
US/Canada/Schengen Visa Exemption
Fans who normally require a Mexican visa
Pro Tip
If your passport normally requires a Mexican visa (e.g. India, Pakistan, China), you are exempt if you hold a valid, unexpired visa from: USA, Canada, UK, or a Schengen country
This exemption applies even if you used that visa before — it just needs to be valid and unexpired
Carry both your national passport and the passport containing the foreign visa when travelling
Free (if eligible) On Arrival
Mexico Tourist Visa (Required)
Passports not covered by exemptions above
Required
Apply at the nearest Mexican consulate or embassy in your country
Required documents: valid passport, bank statement, travel itinerary, accommodation proof
Processing is typically 5–15 working days — much faster than US visa
Mexican Consulate Locator ~$36 USD 5–15 days
Canada Canada
Canada Entry Requirements
Toronto & Vancouver. eTA required for most visa-exempt travellers flying in.
eTA — Electronic Travel Authorization
UK, EU, Australia & most visa-exempt countries flying to Canada
Easy
100% online — takes under 5 minutes to apply
Linked electronically to your passport — no physical document issued
Valid for 5 years or until passport expiry
Note: US citizens do not need an eTA — only a valid US passport
eTA is required for AIR travel only — not for land border crossings
Apply at canada.ca $7 CAD (~$5 USD) Minutes
Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)
Passports that are not eTA-eligible (many Asian, African & Middle Eastern passports)
Required
Apply online via IRCC portal or at a Visa Application Centre (VAC)
Biometrics required — you must visit a VAC in person for fingerprinting
Required documents: bank statements, employment letter, ties to home country
Processing time: 4–12 weeks depending on your country — apply early
Brazilian citizens with a valid US non-immigrant visa may be eligible for Canadian eTA instead
IRCC Application Portal $100 CAD 4–12 weeks
Canada Insider
Many fans will be crossing the US–Canada border by land between host cities. Land border crossings from the USA to Canada do not require an eTA, only your passport. However, crossing back into the USA still requires your ESTA or B1/B2 visa to remain valid — plan your trip sequence carefully.
Critical Deadlines
Visa Application Timeline
The tournament opens June 11, 2026. Work backwards from that date.
!
Right Now — Immediately
Book Your US B1/B2 Embassy Interview
If your passport requires a full B1/B2 US tourist visa (India, Pakistan, China, Nigeria, etc.) — do not wait another week. Embassy appointment slots in many countries are already showing 6–12 month wait times. Missing this window means missing the World Cup.
Urgency: Critical
2
1–3 Months Before Travel
Apply for Canadian TRV (if required)
Canadian Temporary Resident Visa processing takes 4–12 weeks. Apply well in advance. You will need to attend a Visa Application Centre in person for biometric fingerprinting — factor this into your timeline.
3
3–8 Weeks Before Travel
Apply for ESTA (USA) or eTA (Canada)
Both the US ESTA and the Canadian eTA are online-only and typically approved within 72 hours to 1 week. Apply well in advance — do not risk applying at the airport. If denied, you will need to apply for a full visa.
4
1 Week Before Travel
Verify Everything & Download Offline Backups
Check all visa approval statuses are confirmed. Print physical copies of your ESTA, eTA, or visa. Download the Stadium Route app for offline city maps, emergency SOS flashcards, and border crossing guides that work without data.
Quick Reference
Passport × Country Matrix
Common scenarios at a glance. Always verify with official portals before travelling.
Your Passport USA Entry Mexico Entry Canada Entry
🇬🇧 UK / British ESTA ($21) Visa-Free eTA ($7 CAD)
🇪🇺 EU Citizen (DE/FR/ES etc.) ESTA ($21) Visa-Free eTA ($7 CAD)
🇦🇺 Australian ESTA ($21) Visa-Free eTA ($7 CAD)
🇺🇸 US Citizen No Visa Visa-Free Passport Only
🇯🇵 Japanese ESTA ($21) Visa-Free eTA ($7 CAD)
🇮🇳 Indian
With valid US B1/B2 Visa
Existing Visa US Visa Exempt TRV Required
🇮🇳 Indian
Without US Visa
B1/B2 Visa ($185) Mexico Visa Required TRV Required
🇵🇰 Pakistani
With valid US B1/B2 Visa
Existing Visa US Visa Exempt TRV Required
🇧🇷 Brazilian B1/B2 Visa ($185) Visa Required TRV or eTA*
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabian B1/B2 Visa ($185) Visa-Free TRV Required
🇳🇬 Nigerian B1/B2 Visa ($185) Visa Required TRV Required
🇲🇦 Moroccan B1/B2 Visa ($185) Visa-Free TRV Required
* Brazilians may be eligible for Canadian eTA if they hold a valid US non-immigrant visa. Always verify with the official IRCC portal before travel. This table was last updated April 2026 — visa policies can change. Stadium Route is not responsible for denied entry.
Important Disclaimer Stadium Route is an unofficial fan utility. This visa information is provided for general travel planning purposes and was accurate as of April 2026. Visa rules, fees, and processing times change frequently. Always verify your specific requirements through your country's official embassy website or the destination country's official government immigration portal before booking any travel. We are not responsible for denied entry or missed matches due to visa issues.
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