The 2026 World Cup is the first hosted across three countries, which makes travel paperwork more important than ever for international fans. Most of the tournament's 104 matches are played in the United States, with the rest in Canada and Mexico, so your documentation needs depend on your passport and which matches you plan to attend. Sorting this out early is critical, because visa appointment wait times in some countries can stretch for months.

For the United States, the rules follow standard immigration policy. Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries can travel on an ESTA authorization instead of a visa, applied for online before departure. Fans from all other countries generally need a B1/B2 visitor visa, which requires an in-person interview at a US embassy or consulate. Canadian and Bermudian passport holders are exempt from these requirements when entering as tourists. A passport valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay is required in almost all cases.

To help ticket holders navigate the visa process, the US State Department created the FIFA PASS, a priority appointment scheduling system for fans who purchased World Cup tickets directly from FIFA and opted in. It does not replace a visa or guarantee entry, but it gives eligible fans access to priority interview slots ahead of the tournament, which can be decisive in countries with long appointment backlogs. Keep your ticket confirmation and travel itinerary ready as supporting documents for your interview.

Canada and Mexico have their own entry requirements. Many fans attending matches in Toronto or Vancouver will need either a Canadian visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization, depending on nationality, while Mexico's requirements vary by passport as well. If your trip spans two or three host countries, check the rules for each border crossing separately, because an approval for one country does not cover the others.

One practical tip: apply before you book non-refundable travel. Visa decisions are never guaranteed, and airlines and hotels will not refund you if your application is delayed or denied. Build buffer time into your plans, keep digital and printed copies of every confirmation, and monitor official government travel sites rather than rumor threads for the latest guidance.

With record interest from fans around the world, embassies expect heavy demand, so the fans who start their paperwork first will travel with the least stress. Check the qualified nations list to see if your team made it, then get your documents in order and enjoy the biggest World Cup in history.