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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.
Instant Checker
What Do You Need
to Enter?
Select your passport country and your destination to get an instant answer.
Your Passport
Match Destination
United StatesUS 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
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.
MexicoMexico 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.
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
CanadaCanada 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
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
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.
Verified Links
Official Application Portals
Only apply through official government websites. Avoid third-party ESTA "helper"
sites that charge extra fees.

USA — ESTA
Official US Customs & Border Protection ESTA application portal. Cost: $21 USD.
No third-party site needed.
esta.cbp.dhs.gov

USA — B1/B2 Visa
US State Department DS-160 form for B1/B2 tourist visa. Complete here before
booking your embassy interview.
ceac.state.gov

Canada — eTA
IRCC official eTA application. Cost: $7 CAD. Required for all visa-exempt
nationals flying to Canada.
canada.ca

Canada — TRV
IRCC Temporary Resident Visa application. For passports not eligible for eTA.
Biometrics required at a VAC.
ircc.canada.ca

Mexico — FMM
Official Mexican government FMM tourist card portal. Many airports now process
this digitally at arrival.
gob.mx

Mexico — Visa
Find your nearest Mexican consulate or embassy for visa applications. Required
if your passport isn't visa-exempt.
sre.gob.mx
OFFICIAL COMPANION APP
Safety in Your Pocket.
Don't let logistics ruin the match day. Our offline-first app is your digital bodyguard, travel agent, and local guide rolled into one.
Instant Currency Convertor
Instant status Currency update to help you without any Internet Connection.
Emergency SOS Flashcards
Pre-translated medical & police alerts in Spanish and French. Works offline.
Green Zone Navigation
Visual maps showing safe, tourist-friendly areas and high-risk zones to avoid.
CURRENT STATUS
SECURE AREA
Offline Ready
GPS Active
USA
Mexico
Canada