2026 FIFA World Cup - North America

Travel advice for attendees

The 2026 FIFA World Cup takes place in the US, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July.

If you are travelling to North America for the tournament, stay informed, be prepared, and visit ireland.ie/TravelWise for the Department’s latest travel advice and guidance.

On this page, you will find information and key tips for travelling to the World Cup.

At the World Cup

Be responsible
Be on time
Be match day ready
Be connected – stay in touch

Need our help?

Embassy and Consulate contacts

Know before you go

Suitcase surrounded by travel accessories

Be there – match locations

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be hosted by cities in:

Canada
Mexico
USA

Visit the official website for the list of host cities. Don’t forget to download the official FIFA World Cup 26 app (on iOS and on Android), and check the official World Cup 2026 website to stay informed of anything that might affect your travel or plans whilst in Canada, Mexico or USA.

Be prepared before you travel

Be informed - check our TravelWise travel pages for Canada, Mexico and USA, for official, up-to-date advice on the country or countries you are travelling to or transiting through.
Remember your passport.
Check that your passport has at least 6 months validity before you travel. If you need to renew yours, do it well in advance via our online platform - Passport Online.
Healthcare can be particularly expensive in North America! Get comprehensive travel insurance that covers all planned countries and activities. It’s not worth taking the risk to travel without comprehensive insurance.
Be prepared - have paper and digital copies of your passport & other ID, and keep it separate from the originals. Leave a copy with someone you trust at home, along with your itinerary.
Print any flight and accommodation bookings. Write out a list of important contacts. Take them as backups in case your mobile device is lost or stolen.
Register your presence on our Citizens Registration Platform.

and

Don’t forget to follow us for the latest travel advice and information:
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: @dfatravelwise (both X and Instagram), @irishforeignministry (Instagram) and @dfairl (X)
- USA: @EmbassyofIreland (X) and Embassy of Ireland, USA (Facebook)
- Canada: @IrlEmbCan (X)
- Mexico: @IrishEmbMexico (X) and Embajada de Irlanda (Facebook)

Be visa ready

Each country has their own visa and border rules that you must follow. Consider applying for your visa well ahead of travel as visa processing times may be long.

Canada - An eTA is required for entry into Canada, and must be applied for in advance.
Mexico – A visa is not required in advance, however, a ‘Forma Migratoria Múltiple’ (FMM) is required to be filled out upon arrival. Keep this safe, as you’ll need it to leave the country again.
USA - An ESTA is required for entry to the US, and must be applied for in advance.

Immigration Officers may request to see proof of your accommodation, return flight or proof of onward travel and visit plans. They may also conduct an interview.

Host country land border crossings may be very busy during the tournament – plan extra time if travelling by road.

Carefully read the Entry Requirements section of our travel advice for each country you plan to visit.

Be insured

Research your destination and get appropriate comprehensive travel and health insurance for the full duration of your trip. Your insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities, emergency medical treatment, and hospitalisation while overseas.

For some common questions on travel insurance fans may have before heading to the tournament, check out this FAQ from Insurance Ireland.

At the World Cup

Be responsible

Irish football fans are known around the world for their good humour, and craic! This does not exempt us from the rules though. Laws on public order and behaviour can be strict, including around the policing of roads, which may differ to what we are used to in Ireland.

Be aware that local laws and cultures can vary between countries and even between states, including those related to the consumption and purchase of alcohol and drugs.

At all times be respectful when engaging with local authorities, including where language barriers present themselves. Drink responsibly, and look after others in your group.

Be on time

Expect host cities, stadiums, and popular tourist areas to be significantly busier than usual during the tournament.

Transport routes to and from stadiums and Fanzones are likely to experience delays, with the possibility for match day travel restrictions. Plan your route and allow extra time for travel on match days.

Be match day ready

Match tickets are only available through the official FIFA ticketing platform; no tickets will be sold at stadiums. To enter the stadium, you will need an official ticket on the FIFA World Cup app. Printed copies or screenshots may not be accepted at stadium gates. Each ticket is linked to the purchaser’s details, and ID checks may be required upon entry.

Tickets sold on unofficial resale websites, social media, or through third-party vendors may not be genuine. 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, without any guarantee of authenticity.

Ensure you check the stadium’s code of conduct for any match you are attending. This sets out what you can bring into the World Cup stadiums.

Check the official FIFA World Cup 2026 ticketing page for more information.

Ensure you check the FIFA World Cup 2026 app for any match you are attending. This sets out what you can bring into the World Cup stadiums.

There will also be fan zones across host cities for fans without stadium tickets. These can be found on the FIFA World Cup website.

Be connected – stay in touch

Don’t forget to bring your adaptor; all three host countries use the same sockets.

Stay in touch with your family and friends back home while travelling, and share your travel plans with them.

Need our help?

Our Irish Embassies and Consulates around North America and Mexico are there to provide consular assistance if needed.

As per our Consular Assistance Charter they can:

Issue emergency travel documents.
Provide support if you have been arrested or hospitalised.
Get in touch with your family or friends on your behalf.
Provide information on local legal or medical supports.

They cannot provide funds or legal advice.

Links to contact information for all our Embassies and Consulates General in the three host countries are below (oversight for World Cup host city in brackets):