For the first time in history, the 2026 Soccer World Cup will be spread across three countries, making it a truly global soccer celebration!
Fans are eagerly anticipating the chance to experience the world’s biggest soccer event in diverse locations across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
If you’re planning to attend, it’s important to prepare in advance, as you may need to secure a visa, electronic travel authorization, or other entry documents.
In this article, we’ll provide essential details on the venues, visa requirements, and other key information to help you make the most of the 2026 Soccer World Cup.
The FIFA World Cup Soccer in 2026 will be hosted in three different countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The 2026 Soccer World Cup final will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which is located near New York City.
The MetLife is one of eleven stadiums that will be hosting games in the US.
Here are the cities in the US that will host matches, including the state and the stadium:
The format of the FIFA World Cup will be slightly different in 2026 compared to past years as the number of teams has expanded.
Here’s an overview of the format:
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Whether or not you need a visa to watch the tournament will depend on which country you are travelling to and your nationality.
Here’s what you need to consider for the different countries:
Many nationalities require a visa to enter the US. However, visa requirements will vary depending on the country you are from.
If you are from a visa-exempt country, you are typically eligible for the Visa Waiver Program which means you may be able to enter by applying for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). This is an easier option than the regular tourist visa as the application is entirely online.
Visa-exempt countries eligible for the Visa Waiver Program include:
Otherwise, you may need to apply for a tourist visa such as a B2 visa.
For Canada, again visa requirements depend on your nationality. Citizens of visa-exempt countries will only need to apply for an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) if arriving by air.
Otherwise, if you are not eligible for an eTA, you can apply for a visitor visa.
Citizens of many countries do not require a visa for stays of up to 180 days for tourism. Others will need to apply for a tourist visa.
Overall, if you’re a citizen of a country with a visa waiver or exemption agreement with the US, Canada, or Mexico, you may not need a visa but may still need an ESTA or eTA.
If your country requires visas, you will need to apply for a tourist visa to visit the specific country hosting the matches you plan to attend.
An ESTA is an online authorisation required if you are from a Visa Waiver Program country and want to enter the US for tourism, business, or transit purposes.
The US ESTA is a great option for the Fifa World Cup if you are from an eligible country.
You can apply for an ESTA online by providing personal, travel, and security information. The application is short, taking only a couple of minutes to complete.
You are eligible for an ESTA if you are from any of the following countries:
With the ESTA, you can visit the US for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa.
Note that this 90-day limit includes time spent in neighbouring countries like Canada and Mexico if you entered those countries directly from the US as part of the same trip.
The ESTA processing time often takes around 72 hours (3 days) to be approved.
However, you can apply for an ESTA up to two years in advance of your travel date. This means that your ESTA will be valid for two years for you to enter the US or until your passport expires (whichever comes first).
Therefore, you can apply well ahead of your planned trip. It’s a good idea to start applying now for the documents you need to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as there may be delays with many people applying at the same time in the near future.
An ESTA is a quick, online travel authorization for citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries, allowing short stays in the US of up to 90 days without a visa.
Note that while you may often see the term “ESTA visa application” it’s not entirely accurate as the ESTA is a travel authorization, not a visa.
A B2 Tourist Visa is required for citizens who are not from countries of the Visa Waiver Program or for longer stays. With a B2 visa, you can stay in the US for up to six months.
Generally, applying for an ESTA is simpler than applying for a B2 visa.
When applying with Visa First, the ESTA cost starts from €60.
This is a digital document. The eTA Canada application is entirely online, making it easy to apply for.
Similarly to the US ESTA, you may sometimes see the term “eTa visa Canada”. However, this is not entirely accurate, as the eTA is a digital document, not a visa.
An eTA is a requirement if you are from a visa-exempt country travelling to Canada by air for tourism, business, or transit purposes.
It’s electronically linked to your passport and is valid for up to five years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
During the five-year validity, you can enter Canada multiple times, but each visit is typically limited to a stay of up to six months.
No, US citizens do not need an eTA to travel to Canada as a US citizen can enter Canada with just a valid US passport.
If you apply for your Canadian eTA with Visa First, the cost starts at €50.
Regarding documents for the Canadian eTA, you will need a:
You will also need the following information:
Read also: Do I need an eTA for Canada from Ireland?
An eTA may be better in the sense that if you’re eligible it can be quicker, easier, and cheaper to obtain for short-term visits to Canada.
However, not everyone is eligible for an eTA in which case you will have to apply for a Canada tourist visa.
Visa First can help!
We’ve been in business for more than 20 years helping our customers worldwide secure their visas.
You check if you are eligible for a visa using our eligibility checker, then create an account and start the application process.
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