Visa and Entry Requirements for the 2026 World Cup by Nationality

Mexican citizens need a visa to enter the United States. The B1/B2 tourist visa is appropriate for attending the World Cup. The application process includes: completing form DS-160 online, paying the application fee ($185 USD in 2026), scheduling and attending a consular interview, and waiting for the decision.

B1/B2 visa processing time for Mexicans varies by consular workload. At the Mexico City Consulate, interview waiting times have ranged from 3 to 9 months during high-demand periods. For the 2026 World Cup, consular demand is expected to increase significantly, so starting the process no later than January 2025 is recommended.

Some Mexican citizens with dual nationality from a Visa Waiver Program country (such as Spain, Germany, the UK, etc.) may qualify for ESTA. ESTA costs $21 USD, is processed online at esta.cbp.dhs.gov, and is normally approved within 72 hours or less. It is valid for 2 years and allows stays of up to 90 days.

For the vast majority of Latin American citizens (Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, etc.), a B1/B2 visa is required to enter the United States. The process is the same as for Mexicans: DS-160 form, fee payment, consular interview.

Some countries have particularly long processing times. For Venezuelan citizens, the process can be particularly complex given the closure of the US Embassy in Venezuela. It is recommended to apply for the visa in a third country (Colombia, Peru, Panama). For Cuban citizens, the consular process is also more restrictive.

Colombia, Argentina, Chile, and Brazil have interview waiting times that have ranged from 2 to 5 months in their respective capitals. For the 2026 World Cup, starting the process between January and June 2025 is the recommended window. If you already have a valid 10-year visa, verify it's still valid — you don't need to renew it if it still has time remaining.

Mexico has a fairly open entry policy for most nationalities. Most citizens of Latin American, European, US, and Canadian countries can enter Mexico without a tourist visa for stays of up to 180 days.

What almost all non-resident visitors DO need is the FMM (Forma Migratoria Multiple / Multiple Migration Form). This is the migration entry document for tourists in Mexico. It can be processed in three ways: online through the INM (National Migration Institute) portal, at the airport upon arrival (there are kiosks or migration agents), or at land border crossings.

The cost of the FMM for fans arriving by air to Mexico is generally included in the plane ticket price (the airline charges it and remits it to the government). For land entries or if your airline doesn't include it, the cost is approximately $35 USD. Keep your FMM safe because you must present it when leaving Mexico.

To enter Canada, citizens of many countries (including most European countries, Australia, Japan, and others) need an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization). The Canadian eTA costs CAD $7 (approximately $5 USD), is processed online at canada.ca, and is generally approved within minutes, though it can take up to several days in some cases.

Important: US citizens do NOT need an eTA to enter Canada. Mexican citizens and those from most Latin American countries are NOT eligible for eTA and need a full visitor visa for Canada, whose process is longer and more expensive (CAD $100, online or at consulate).

For Latin American fans who want to watch matches in Toronto (YYZ) or Vancouver (YVR), it is essential to check well in advance whether they need a Canadian visa. The process can take between 2 and 8 weeks for most Latin American countries, but can be much longer depending on consular workload. Applying for the Canadian visa before mid-2025 is recommended.

In addition to your visa or ESTA/eTA, these are the documents every fan should carry to the 2026 World Cup:

Valid passport with at least 6 months of validity after your return date. Many immigration officers reject passports with less than 6 months of validity even if technically still valid.

Confirmed hotel reservation (with confirmation number). Immigration officers frequently ask to prove where you'll be staying. Carry the confirmation printed or on your phone.

Return ticket or proof of departure from the country. You must be able to demonstrate that you intend to leave the host country before your permitted stay expires.

Proof of financial solvency: bank statement from the last 3 months showing sufficient funds for your stay, international credit card with visible limit.

Travel medical insurance: while not mandatory for entry, it is highly recommended given medical costs in the United States (an emergency room visit can cost $1,000-$5,000 USD without insurance).