As the FIFA World Cup 2026 approaches (11 June – 19 July), Mexico is preparing to welcome fans across its three host cities: Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. Alongside the excitement of the event, travellers should expect a complex operating environment shaped by high demand, intense summer conditions, and elevated security considerations.
This guide gives travel managers and security teams a clear picture of what to expect and how to prepare.
“Cartel-related violence has recently made international headlines and reflects a broader shift in Mexico’s travel risk landscape. This highlights the need for visitors to adapt their behaviour and approach to safety, particularly LGBTQ and female travellers, who should take additional precautions when planning their trips. Travel within Mexico’s host cities will generally feel like any major city, with petty crime remaining the primary concern for visitors,” explains Diego Maloney, Senior Analyst at Riskline
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Getting into Mexico
Entry requirements
There is no special World Cup visa. Visitors enter under standard tourist requirements. Travel managers should verify requirements by nationality well in advance.
Key points to communicate to travellers:
- Citizens of many countries are visa-exempt, along with travellers holding valid visas or permanent residency from the US, Canada, the UK, Japan, or the Schengen Area. Other visitors must obtain a Mexican visitor visa before travel.
- Most air arrivals no longer need the Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM), though exceptions apply.
- Passports must be valid for the full duration of stay, with at least one blank page.
- ID must be carried at all times during domestic travel.
- Land entry with a vehicle requires electronic pre-authorisation and immigration forms.
Transportation: what to brief your travellers on
- Mexico City International Airport (MEX) is the primary entry point, served by Aeroméxico, American Airlines, British Airways, Delta, Lufthansa, and United, among others.
- Organisations should arrange pre-booked private transfers or require the use of vetted app-based services (Uber, Didi, or Cabify), particularly for night travel and stadium routes. Hailing taxis on the street is not recommended.
Explore our complete guide to travel requirements, transportation options, and additional advice.
Security: What to expect
Mexico is the highest-risk host country in the tournament. All three host cities face organised criminal activity linked to major cartels, though travellers are unlikely to be targeted in stadium zones, upscale districts, or reinforced tourist areas.
The main risks are opportunistic crime, including pickpocketing, bag-snatching, express kidnapping near ATMs, and digital fraud, particularly in crowded areas and transport hubs.
Key recommendations:
- Avoid city outskirts after dark.
- Use toll highways for intercity travel; avoid toll-free routes.
- Keep valuables concealed and avoid displaying phones or cash.
- Do not intervene in violent incidents under any circumstances.
- Brief US staff in Guadalajara on elevated CJNG-related risks.
Protests and disruptions
Anti-World Cup protests, labour mobilisations, and roadblocks are likely in all three host cities during the tournament. These can cause significant travel disruption with little warning.
Travel managers should build contingency time into all ground itineraries and establish a process for monitoring local developments in real time.
Health and environment
Expect extreme heat in Monterrey, altitude effects in Mexico City, and poor air quality. Heavy rain may cause flooding, and earthquakes are a known risk. Travellers should drink only bottled water and check their measles vaccination status before travel.
Women and LGBTQ travellers
Women: Harassment is common in public spaces and on public transport. Require the use of app-based or pre-booked taxis, advise against walking alone at night, and ensure travellers know how to access consular support when reporting incidents to local authorities.
LGBTQ: Mexico reports one of the highest rates of hate crimes targeting LGBTQ individuals in Latin America. While major cities have established LGBTQ communities and are generally more accepting, travellers should be advised to exercise discretion outside known safe areas.
Check out some tips for female travellers from our Americas Operations Manager, Eeva Ruuska, who is based in Mexico.
Scams: what to flag
- There is no such thing as a FIFA visa. Travellers should apply for standard visitor visas based on their nationality.
- Tickets must be purchased only through official FIFA platforms.
- Accommodation and travel package scams are widespread. Book through verified providers and flag unsolicited offers immediately.
Explore our Staying Safe section for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Pre-departure checklist for travel managers
- Arrange pre-booked transfers for all airport and stadium routes.
- Confirm measles vaccination status.
- Ensure travellers have ride-hailing apps installed before arrival (Uber, Didi, Cabify).
- Share embassy and consulate contact details for all three cities.
- Ask travellers to use the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official App for real-time schedule updates.
- Establish check-in and emergency communication protocols for the tournament period.
Riskline will continue monitoring conditions in the three host countries throughout the tournament. Book a demo to see our real-time updates and destination intelligence in action.
Prepare. Plan. Stay safe. Score big. ⚽