2026 World Cup Visa Guide
Do you need a visa to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup? Check requirements for the USA, Canada, and Mexico — plus FIFA Fan ID information and how to apply.
5
Countries — No US visa needed
Brazil, Argentina, Mexico + Visa Waiver Program
9
Countries — ESTA required ($21)
UK, EU, Japan, Korea, Australia…
5+
Countries — Full US visa required
Apply NOW — wait times up to 400+ days
🚨 Apply for Your US Visa NOW
If your country requires a full US B-2 visa, you must apply immediately. Current wait times in several countries exceed 12–18 months — longer than the time left before the World Cup.
| Country | Approx. wait (days) | FIFA Pass eligible | Mexico alt. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇮🇳 India | ~400 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Visa-free |
| 🇳🇬 Nigeria | ~300 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Visa-free |
| 🇲🇦 Morocco | ~250 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Visa-free |
| 🇨🇳 China | ~200 | — | ✓ Visa-free |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | ~180 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Visa-free |
FIFA FAN ID / Tournament Pass
FIFA issues a Tournament Fan ID (similar to past World Cups' Fan IDs) which may provide visa facilitation for nationals of countries requiring a US B-2 visa. Details will be announced closer to the tournament — register on FIFA+ to be notified.
May help with visa facilitation:
ESTA Required — No Visa Needed
Citizens of these countries can enter the US without a visa using an ESTA authorization ($21 online, instant approval).
Australia
ESTA $21 · Canada: Visa-free
France
ESTA $21 · Canada: eTA required
Germany
ESTA $21 · Canada: eTA required
Japan
ESTA $21 · Canada: eTA required
Netherlands
ESTA $21 · Canada: eTA required
Portugal
ESTA $21 · Canada: eTA required
South Korea
ESTA $21 · Canada: eTA required
Spain
ESTA $21 · Canada: eTA required
United Kingdom
ESTA $21 · Canada: eTA required
Entry Requirements by Host Country
Visa Waiver Program (VWP) / ESTA
Citizens of 42 countries can travel to the US for up to 90 days without a visa using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Cost: $21. Apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov at least 72 hours before travel.
Applies to: ESTA countries: EU, UK, Japan, Korea, Australia, NZ, and more
Official information →B-2 Tourist Visa
Required for nationals of non-VWP countries. Apply at the US Embassy in your country. Processing times vary enormously — from 30 days to 500+ days. Use the travel.state.gov wait time tool to check current times.
Applies to: India, China, Nigeria, Morocco, and 150+ other countries
Official information →Canada Entry Requirements
Most non-US, non-Canadian nationals need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for Canada. Cost: CAD $7. Some nationalities need a full visa. Check the IRCC website for your specific country.
Applies to: Affects nationals of most countries attending Toronto or Vancouver matches
Official information →Mexico Entry
Mexico does not require a visa for most nationalities (180+ countries). Citizens of China, India, and some African nations may need a Mexican visa. Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey are all visa-free for most fans.
Applies to: Most nationalities
Official information →💡 Pro tip: Attend matches in Mexico or Canada first
If you face a difficult US visa, consider starting your World Cup journey at Mexico City, Guadalajara, or Monterrey — most nationalities enter Mexico without a visa. Similarly, Toronto and Vancouver in Canada may have more accessible entry requirements than the US. Many fans plan itineraries across all three host countries.
Visa FAQs
Do I need a visa to attend the 2026 World Cup in the USA? ▾
Citizens of 42 countries in the Visa Waiver Program (including UK, EU, Japan, Korea, Australia) need ESTA ($21) but no full visa. Citizens of Brazil and Argentina now enter visa-free. Citizens of India, China, Nigeria, and most African/Asian countries need a B-2 tourist visa with wait times of 200-400+ days. Apply immediately.
What is the FIFA Fan ID / Tournament Pass for 2026? ▾
FIFA issues a Tournament Fan ID for World Cup 2026. This digital ID may provide visa facilitation for nationals of certain countries requiring US visas. It may also grant access to Fan Zones and free public transit on match days. Register on FIFA+ to be notified when applications open.
Can I avoid the US visa by attending matches in Canada or Mexico? ▾
Yes! Toronto and Vancouver (Canada) host World Cup matches, and many nationalities can enter Canada more easily than the US. Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey host matches with even more lenient entry requirements — most nationalities can enter Mexico without a visa. This is an excellent strategy for fans from visa-restricted countries.
How long does a US B-2 tourist visa take to process? ▾
US B-2 visa wait times vary dramatically by country. From India: 400+ days. Nigeria: 300+ days. Morocco: 250+ days. China: 200+ days. Saudi Arabia: 180+ days. Always check travel.state.gov for current wait times and apply at least 12-18 months before you plan to travel.
Want AI-powered World Cup predictions? See ScoutEdge's analysis →