Attending the FIFA World Cup events requires early booking and solid organisation due to long distances, cross-border travel requirements, and high demand. This applies especially for fans who plan to attend several events across the 16 host cities. Major travel hubs include Los Angeles, New York-New Jersey, Mexico City, and Vancouver. Knowing the best transport options for getting around and accessing the venue will be essential too. In this section, you will find information about travel requirements, transportation options, and further advice.
All of the host cities in the US have international airports. Atlanta, New York, Miami, and Los Angeles are particularly notable as major hubs. American Airlines is the official North American airline partner, offering flights to all 16 World Cup host cities.
Domestically, an extensive network of air connections links all US host cities via their international airports, which are served by a wide range of national airlines, including Delta, Southwest, and others, as well as international airlines.
Due to the vast size of the country and the long distances between some of the host cities, air travel is the most convenient option. However, key train routes served by Amtrak are also available, particularly in the Northeast and California. Long-distance bus services are offered by companies such as FlixBus and Greyhound Lines.
Once travellers reach a city, it is important to know how to get around. Some cities have metro systems to help visitors reach their venues, including New York–New Jersey, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, and San Francisco. While others, like Los Angeles, Dallas, Seattle, and Houston, have light rail or streetcar systems. Additionally, most cities have efficient bus and taxi services, as well as ride-sharing apps such as Uber and Lyft.
The three biggest airports with the most flight connections serving New York and New Jersey are John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK/KJFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR/KEWR), and LaGuardia Airport (LGA/KLGA).
How to reach MetLife Stadium:
Public transport is recommended, as traffic to the stadium is likely to be busy during the matches.
→ Directions from New York: From Penn Station, take a train to Secaucus Junction. Once you arrive, transfer to a direct shuttle train to the Meadowlands Rail Station.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW/KDFW) is the main entry point to reach the city with many international flight connections. Love Field (DAL/KDAL) is an alternative airport that primarily serves domestic flights.
How to reach AT&T Stadium:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL/KATL) is the primary and only major international airport serving the Atlanta metropolitan area.
How to reach Mercedes-Benz Stadium:
The primary international gateway to the city is Los Angeles International Airport (LAX/KLAX). It offers numerous international and domestic flight connections. Alternative airports include Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR/KBUR), Long Beach/Daugherty Field Airport (LGB/KLGB), and John Wayne Airport-Orange County (SNA/KSNA), mainly serving domestic routes.
How to reach SoFi Stadium:
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ/CYYZ) and Vancouver International Airport (YVR/CYVR) are both major global flight hubs, offering connections to and from Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Frequent domestic flights operated by airlines such as Air Canada and WestJet connect Toronto and Vancouver daily. Although VIA Rail Canada runs between the two cities, air travel remains the fastest option.
Local mobility
To reach BMO Field from Toronto Airport, travellers can take the airport rail link UP Express to downtown, then connect to TTC streetcars or GO Transit. In Vancouver, the SkyTrain Canada Line provides direct access to the city centre, with BC Place just a short walk from major transit stations.
Mexico City International Airport (MEX/MMMX) is the main port for fans to enter the country. The airport is served by airlines such as Aeroméxico, Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta, United, British Airways, and Lufthansa. The nearby Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU/MMSM) also serves Greater Mexico City with additional capacity and routes. Guadalajara International Airport (GDL/MMGL) connects the city to major US hubs and domestic destinations, often routing through Mexico City or Cancún for international connections.
Another international gateway is Monterrey International Airport (MTY/MMMY), which offers flights to the US and other regional destinations. It is a hub for Mexican airlines such as Viva, Magnicharters, and Aerus, and a focus city for Volaris.
For broader connectivity, Cancún International Airport (CUN/MMUN) is also worth considering. It is the only airport in Mexico with direct flights to every World Cup host city across Mexico, the US, and Canada, and is served by many North American and international airlines.
Local mobility
In Mexico City, fans can head to Estadio Azteca with the Metro Line 2. Guadalajara’s Mi Macro Periférico bus rapid transit and local buses connect downtown and suburbs to the vicinity of Estadio Akron. In Monterrey, the Exposición or Lerdo de Tejada stations of the Metrorrey Line 1 are the closest stations to Estadio BBVA. Travellers visiting Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey can also use ride-sharing apps like Uber, Didi, and Cabify. They are convenient alternatives to public transport for getting around during the World Cup.
US – Travellers from Visa Waiver Program countries must apply for the Electronic System Travel Authorization (ESTA), while visitors from all other countries need a B1/B2 visitor visa. Canadians and Bermudans may enter as tourists without additional authorisation. FIFA World Cup 2026™ ticket holders who opt into FIFA PASS may access priority visa interview scheduling before the tournament.
Canada – Fans travelling to Canada will enter as tourists, as there is no special event visa. Depending on nationality and travel method, visitors may need a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). A FIFA World Cup ticket is not required to apply and does not guarantee approval of a visa or eTA.
Mexico – Fans from abroad will enter as tourists, as there is no special event visa. Whether a visa is required depends on nationality: citizens of visa-exempt countries, as well as travellers holding a valid visa or permanent residence from the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, or the Schengen Area, do not need a Mexican visa. All other visitors must obtain a Mexican visitor visa before travelling. Foreigners flying to Mexico can download the Forma Migratoria Múltiple Digital (FMMd) upon arrival, an official immigration form that certifies the regular status of the visitor to allow expedited entry. This form, however, is not required in most cases if arriving by air.
Domestic travel
International visitors must carry a valid ID/passport at all times. For boarding domestic flights, US citizens must present a REAL ID-compliant license/ID, or another acceptable form of identification.
Passport and ID validity
For entry into the US, the passport must be valid for at least six months after the date of departure and have been issued within the last ten years. Some exceptions apply:
Passport X validity
It is uncertain if travellers with passports listing gender as ‘neutral’ may enter. Contact consular representatives to confirm the viability of entry.
Documentation
All visitors arriving via a land border crossing or a selected ferry port will need a Form I-94, which is issued at the entry point. However, people can request a provisional form within 7 days of arrival for expedited processing time. Some exceptions apply.
Domestic travel
Visitors must carry a valid ID/passport at all times.
Passport and ID validity
For entry into Mexico, the passport must be valid for the duration of the stay and have one blank page.
Passport X validity
Travellers with passports listing gender as ‘neutral’ may enter.
Documentation
US and Canadian nationals intending to enter the country by land with a vehicle are required to provide a filled-out Electronic pre-authorisation form. Travellers entering the country by land should provide a filled-out Multiple Immigration Form.
Domestic travel
Visitors must carry a valid ID/passport at all times.
Passport and ID validity
For entry into Canada, the passport must be valid for the duration of the stay and have one blank page. Some exceptions apply:
Passport X validity
Travellers with passports listing gender as ‘neutral’ may enter.
As with any major event, 2026 FIFA World Cup scams have been circulating. Here is what you need to know and how to protect yourself:
Editors:
Diego Maloney, Senior Analyst at Riskline
Paul Mutter, Global Coverage Manager
Contributors:
Claudia Gualdi, Farhan Rafi, Lorena Peña, Lorenzo Trevisan
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