If your plans include traveling to the United States, Canada, or Mexico to watch England play during next year’s World Cup, World Cup , do you require visas and how can you obtain them? Learn all about it here.
We've put together the definitive guide for every English football fan planning their trip to the 2026 World Cup. If visa requirements and travel documentation have left you puzzled, rest assured, we’re here to help.
Here’s all the information that England supporters require for traveling to the 2026 World Cup.
Will I require a visa to travel to the USA for the World Cup?
If you're a British citizen heading to the United States, things will proceed just as they always have. Should you have visited the U.S. before, the procedure remains unchanged.
Holders of UK passports can visit the USA for leisure or work purposes for as long as 90 days, enough to cover the whole duration of the World Cup along with some additional time beforehand or afterward should you wish.
Although Brits don't need to get a conventional visa, they must apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) through the Visa Waiver Program.
It should also be mentioned that if you've visited Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen at any point after March 2011, you won’t qualify for an ESTA and must apply instead for a conventional tourist visa through the U.S. embassy. This rule extends to Cuba as well, starting from travel conducted post-January 2021.
If you have additional questions regarding your eligibility for an ESTA, it's advisable to review the complete guidelines provided. UK Government’s official website .
The cost for an ESTA application is roughly $21, comprising a $4 service charge and a $17 authorization fee. Typically, most applications get approved within two days.
An ESTA remains valid for two years from the approval date, or until your passport expires, whichever happens sooner.
Is a distinct visa required for both Canada and Mexico?
Like in the United States, UK residents don't need to get a conventional visa when intending to visit Canada for less than six months.
When entering Canada by air, you'll probably need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), which comes with a cost of $7 Canadian dollars.
Beware of counterfeit sites providing eTAs and ensure you obtain yours solely from an authorized provider.
You don’t require an eTA if you're arriving by land or sea—meaning if you plan to enter the U.S. initially and then cross the border—but ensure your passport and all necessary travel papers are up-to-date.
If you're traveling to Mexico for tourism purposes, you won’t require a visa. Instead, you will receive a stamp in your passport indicating the duration of time you’re permitted to remain in the country.
If, however, you are entering Mexico via land—specifically, by crossing the border from the United States—you must complete an immigration form.
What steps should I take to obtain visas?
Each of the three host countries does not typically demand a visa for most British citizens visiting as tourists, yet additional paperwork may be necessary.
For the U.S., you can submit an application for an ESTA through it. Official ESTA Application Website or using the The ESTA Mobile app for Android or iOS .
For Canada, they can obtain their eTA through the Canadian government’s website .
The immigration form you’ll need if you’re planning on crossing into Mexico via the border can be found on the Mexican government’s official website .
Are there special World Cup visas available for all three host nations?
As of this writing, an official "fan visa" has not been announced yet for the 2026 World Cup.
Talks are said to be continuing with the aim of simplifying the visa process for global supporters as much as possible. Keep an eye out for updates leading up to the start of the tournament.
What is the typical processing time for visa approvals?
In the case of the United States, the majority of ESTA applications are reviewed and approved within two days.
Nevertheless, these documents are valid for up to two years. So, if your passport extends past the 2026 World Cup, you can complete this administrative task well ahead of time should you choose to do so. There’s really no reason to wait until the last moment.
In Canada, the majority of eTA applications get approved almost instantly. However, some cases might require up to several days for processing. Should your application necessitate further review or a visa interview—which is not common—you will be contacted via email within 72 hours.
The immigration form for entry into Mexico by land is typically handled with great speed.
Is it possible for me to travel from one country to another in order to attend World Cup matches?
Yes.
If you're a British citizen, you should not encounter any problems when crossing the border from the United States into Mexico and Canada, or going in the opposite direction.
Of course, you'll need to carry your passport when traveling between these countries, as standard passport and border checks will be conducted.
What should I do if I don’t have a UK passport?
To journey to the United States, Canada, or Mexico, you are required to possess a passport.
If you possess a passport from another country and not a UK one, check if your nationality is included in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), where the ESTA regulations mentioned earlier are applicable.
Many (though not all) countries within Europe such as the Republic of Ireland, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, and Portugal are members of the WVP. Additionally, various nations from different parts of the globe like Israel, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Qatar also participate in this organization.
The complete roster of World Veterans Poker nations is available on the website. US Department of State’s official website .
The process for Canada's eTA follows a comparable pattern, targeting a similarly inclusive list of visa-free countries.
Various nations have distinct visa requirements. For instance, individuals from India, Nigeria, and China aren’t permitted to visit the United States under the Visa Waiver Program using an ESTA.
In which country will England be playing their matches?
Currently, the official match schedule for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has yet to be published.
The concluding draw is anticipated to occur in December 2025 when the exact dates and locations for England’s fixtures will be revealed.
The schedules and locations for all the group-stage and knockout matches have already been tentatively set, allowing the three host countries to know where and when they will play their group stage fixtures (though not yet who their opponents will be).
However, it's much too soon to predict which group Thomas Tuchel’s English team will end up in if they manage to qualify.
Once we have all the details, we will add more comprehensive information here.
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