The FIFA World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 11, 2026, kicking off in Mexico City and ending on July 19, 2026 in New York New Jersey.
While the event is well into the future, over 793 days from the post date of this blog, concerns surrounding US visa wait times have caused FIFA fans from around the world to start planning for their travels extremely early.
Even with the advance notice of the event, soccer fans who desire to travel to an event in the U.S. are wondering whether or not they’ll be able to secure a visa in time.
What Is the FIFA World Cup 2026 Event?
The FIFA World Cup is an international men’s soccer tournament and features matches among 48 worldwide teams.
This event is the largest soccer tournament in the world and occurs every four years.
Where Is the FIFA World Cup 2026 Event?
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will take place across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Locations include:
- Toronto and Vancouver, Canada
- Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey, Mexico
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Dallas, Texas
- Houston, Texas
- Kansas City, Missouri
- Los Angeles, California
- Miami, Florida
- New York New Jersey, New York Metro Area
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- San Francisco Bay Area, California
- Seattle, Washington
When Is the FIFA World Cup 2026 Event?
The FIFA World Cup event is scheduled to take place from June 11, 2026 through July 19, 2026.
Games will be almost daily, scattered throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada locations.
What Are the Current US Visa Wait Times?
US visa wait times have been excessive post-pandemic, and many countries have not yet seen recovery in wait times such as India and Mexico.
US visa wait times will vary among countries and cities, and are very volatile to change, meaning wait times can fluctuate daily.
The major concerns for fans are that some US visa wait times exceed 800 days, especially in some cities in Mexico. This means that a visa wouldn’t be secured in time to attend the US World Cup games in 793 days.
With extreme US visa wait times, many fans who would like to attend the 2026 World Cup are worried that they may not be able to get a visitor visa in time.
Tips for Planning Your World Cup 2026 Trip
If you are looking to visit the United States from abroad to attend a World Cup 2026 event, it’s important to start your visa application process as soon as possible if you live in an area with a long US visa wait time.
Here are some helpful tips to get you started in planning your World Cup 2026 adventure for those traveling from abroad:
- Check the visa wait times in your area to determine whether or not it you would likely be able to get a visa in time for your desired event
- Start the visa application process
- Get your visa appointment scheduled
- Register your interest for the World Cup 2026 event to receive information as soon as tickets are available
- Start planning your stay in the United States
As it gets closer to the event that you are planning to attend, and you are hopeful that you will be able to secure a US visa, this is when you should start your booking and more detailed planning, such as:
- Booking your flight
- Booking your accommodations
- Planning other activities or events
- Purchasing a travel insurance plan
If you are uncertain about the status of your visa, look for travel accommodations that offer refunds in the event that you are no longer able to attend.
Protect Yourself With Travel Insurance
When traveling to the United States, it is important to consider protecting yourself with travel insurance. The United States is notorious for high medical costs, and if you are traveling to the US from abroad, you may be left vulnerable if you fall ill or are injured during your travels and require medical attention.
Travel insurance can offer medical coverage for care related to a new illness or accident that occurs when you are in the US, giving you peace of mind that you’ll have a safeguard in the event of the unexpected.
Serious About Attending the World Cup in 2026? Start Planning
If you are serious about attending World Cup events in the United States in 2026, it is essential to start your planning process now to avoid hiccups when it comes to securing a visa in time.
The earlier you start your planning process, the better you can mitigate any potential risks associated with your visa.
