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.
Which country is hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The FIFA World Cup Soccer in 2026 will be hosted in three different countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
USA: 78 matches will be held here, including key games such as the final
Canada: Will host 13 matches
Mexico: Will host 13 matches
Where is the 2026 World Cup final?
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.
What cities will the USA play in the 2026 World Cup?
Here are the cities in the US that will host matches, including the state and the stadium:
Atlanta, Georgia (Atlanta Stadium)
Boston, Massachusetts (Boston Stadium)
Dallas, Texas (Dallas Stadium)
Houston, Texas (Houston Stadium)
Kansas City, Missouri (Kansas City Stadium)
Los Angeles, California (Los Angeles Stadium)
Miami, Florida (Miami Stadium)
New York/New Jersey (New York New Jersey Stadium)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia Stadium)
San Francisco, California (San Francisco Bay Area Stadium)
Seattle, Washington (Seattle Stadium)
Read:
The best sport events to attend in the US!
What is the format for the 2026 World Cup?
The format of the FIFA World Cup will be slightly different in 2026 compared to past years asthe number of teams has expanded.
Here’s an overview of the format:
There will be 48 nations represented at the 2026 World Cup, compared to previous years where there were 32 teams
The 48 teams will be divided into 12 groups of 4 teams, with each team playing 3 matches in the group stage. The top two teams from each group will then advance to the knockout stage
The knockout stage will then begin with a Round of 32 and will continue through the Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Final
The tournament is expected to take place over approximately 39 days
Do you need a visa to attend the Soccer World Cup 2026?
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:
United States
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:
Andorra
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brunei
Chile
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
San Marino
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
United Kingdom
Otherwise, you may need to apply for a tourist visa such as a B2 visa.
Canada
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.
Mexico
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.
What is an ESTA for USA?
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.
Read also:
ESTA USA – What Is It & How To Apply
Apply for an ESTA to the US today!
Who needs an ESTA to enter the US?
You are eligible for an ESTA if you are from any of the following countries:
Andorra
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brunei
Chile
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Republic of Korea
San Marino
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
United Kingdom
How long can I stay in the USA with ESTA?
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.
How long does it take to get an ESTA approved?
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.
What is the difference between ESTA and tourist visa?
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.
Read also:
B1 vs B2 visa: What’s the difference?
How much does ESTA cost?
When applying with Visa First, the ESTA cost starts from €60.
What is an eTA visa for Canada?
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.
Read also:
Do US citizens need an eTA for Canada?
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.
What is the price of an eTA for Canada?
If you apply for your Canadian eTA with Visa First, the cost starts at €50.
What documents are required for an eTA?
Regarding documents for the Canadian eTA, you will need a:
A passport valid for at least 6 months
You will also need the following information:
Valid email address to receive updates
Credit or debit card to pay the eTA application fee
Personal information such as your name, date of birth, and nationality
Travel information such as travel plans, including the purpose of your visit to Canada
Background information related to health, criminal history, and previous travel history
Read also:
Do I need an eTA for Canada from Ireland?
Which is better, eTA or visa?
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.
Need help to obtain an eTA or ESTA for Canada or the US?
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.
Why Visa First?
Our service is fast and convenient
We organise more than 10,000 visas every year
Our visa experts will ensure your visa application is prepared accurately
A dedicated account manager will guide you throughout the entire process
Ready to secure your travel to the US or Canada for the Fifa World Cup? Apply with Visa First today!
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