Foreign Office message for football fans travelling for FIFA World Cup 2026

The Foreign Office has issued fresh advice for fans planning to travel for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The tournament will be held across the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, and officials are urging travellers to plan carefully before they set off.

According to GOV.UK, anyone heading to the USA should be aware of a number of important travel rules and recommendations.

Among the key warnings is the expected shortage of accommodation, with demand likely to be exceptionally high throughout the tournament. Travellers are advised to book and confirm their accommodation well in advance. The Foreign Office also notes that visitors may be asked to provide proof of their accommodation when passing through immigration on arrival.

Do this before you travel

As well as urging people to plan ahead, it suggests signing up for email updates on travel advice for the United States, downloading the official FIFA World Cup 26 app for iOS or Android, and regularly checking the official World Cup 2026 website and the US Embassy London World Cup 2026 page for the latest travel information and updates that may affect your plans.

Fans planning to visit more than one host nation should be aware that entry requirements, local laws and customs differ between the United States, Canada and Mexico. Travellers are advised to check the latest travel advice for each country before departure, including if they are only transiting through.

It says: “In the US, matches will be hosted in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle and the San Francisco Bay Area. Expect other cities and popular tourist destinations across the US to be busier than usual during the tournament.”

Did you purchase your ticket through FIFA?

The Foreign Office reminds fans: “If you have purchased FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets directly from FIFA, you can make a US visa appointment through FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (PASS).

“If you are travelling to the US by land from Canada or Mexico, you may be required to complete an electronic arrival/departure record (Form I‑94), which records your entry and how long you are allowed to stay. You can apply in advance or access your record using the CBP I‑94 website. Check if this applies to you before travelling.

“If you are travelling with an ESTA, you must be able to show proof that you have booked a journey departing the USA when you enter. If you cannot provide evidence of onward travel, you may be refused entry. The final decision will be at the discretion of US Customs and Border Protection.”

If you have questions about US Customs and Border Protection processes, you can use their online Ask Compass AI tool.

Travel insurance

Before you travel, make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance covering all destinations and planned activities for the full duration of your trip. Make sure your policy provides sufficient medical cover, especially in countries with high healthcare costs, as treatment can be costly and you may have to pay all expenses yourself if you are not insured.

It stresses: “Medical treatment in the United States is not free, and healthcare costs can be high. Make sure your travel insurance includes cover for medical treatment, hospitalisation and medical evacuation. Check that your policy is suitable for your planned activities and covers the full duration of your stay.”

Match tickets and stadium entry

GOV.UK officials are advising fans to purchase tickets exclusively through FIFA’s official ticketing platform and to use the FIFA World Cup app to access them, as printed copies or screenshots may not be accepted at stadiums.

Travellers are also warned against buying tickets from unofficial sellers, including social media and resale sites, as these may be fraudulent, invalid or overpriced, and could be rejected at the gate even if they appear legitimate.

GOV.UK reminds fans: “Each ticket is linked to the purchaser’s details, and ID checks may be required upon entry.” It adds: “Fraudulent tickets can look legitimate but may be rejected at the stadium gate, leaving you without entry on match day. Some scammers sell the same ticket to multiple buyers or resell tickets that have already been voided by FIFA Ticketing.

“Even if a ticket scans at the gate, you may be denied entry if it is flagged as invalid or already used. Unofficial sources often inflate prices significantly, especially for high-demand matches like play-offs or rivalry matchups without any guarantee of authenticity.”

Transport to and from FIFA events

Transport networks around stadiums are likely to be very busy during the tournament, and some venues may be located a considerable distance from their host cities, with travel options varying by location. You can visit the official World Cup fixtures page or the app for more information on each match’s venue.

Local authorities may ask you to enter or leave the stadium by specific routes. Make sure you:

• Plan your journey ahead of time
• Leave plenty of time for journeys, particularly on match days

If you’re planning to hire a car or use taxis in the US, check the ‘Transport Risks’ section on the Safety and Security page for more information.

Fan zones and public viewings

In its final advice, officials urge caution when attending events and viewing areas. FIFA Fan Festivals will act as key gathering points. In the United States, official fan festivals will be held in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey and Philadelphia.

Fan zones and public viewing areas will be available across the country, but rules on what you can bring in may vary by location and state, so check local guidance before you go.

You can check out the official World Cup 2026 website for information about the FIFA Fan Festivals and the individual locations.