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Host Countries Overview

Welcome to Canada, Mexico and the United States of America

Welcome to North America, hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. From the smallest-ever World Cup in Qatar, we now head to the biggest. Three countries spanning thousands of miles will welcome the world’s biggest sporting event to their shores.

Qualification was a bit of a doddle — and we don’t mean that arrogantly — we simply didn’t concede a goal. We imagine many of you have been planning and saving for this tournament long before we wrapped qualification up in Tirana back in November. Our own preparations have been ongoing for years too. That’s how optimistic we’ve become lately.

The winning “United Bid” from Canada, Mexico and the USA was awarded the tournament in 2018, defeating Morocco, who we’ll instead be visiting in four years’ time. Sixteen host cities, 48 teams, 104 matches and 39 days — this is comfortably the biggest World Cup yet, whether everyone agrees that’s a good thing or not.

These are three countries well used to hosting huge sporting events. The stadiums are spectacular, although transport infrastructure in some cities will certainly provide a challenge, particularly on matchdays. You’re probably already bored of hearing how expensive this tournament is likely to be for supporters — trust us, we are too — but it’s still important to emphasise it and push back where possible.

Canada has two host cities: Toronto and Vancouver. Mexico has three: Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey. The USA hosts matches in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle.

The tournament opens in Mexico City on 11 June, with Mexico facing South Africa, just one day after England’s final pre-tournament friendly in Orlando. England then begins their campaign on 17 June against Croatia.

Mascots

The tournament has three mascots this time: Maple the Moose (Canada), Zayu the Jaguar (Mexico) and Clutch the Bald Eagle (USA).

Maple is apparently a goalkeeper representing resilience, creativity and street culture. Zayu is a striker known for speed and agility, representing Mexican heritage and strength. Finally, Clutch is a midfielder with a “thirst for adventure”.

We know you were absolutely desperate to know all of that information. We’ll let you decide who should probably be defending. Expect to see the three of them absolutely everywhere on official merchandise.

© Alamy

Preparations

It wouldn’t quite feel like a World Cup without stories of organisers needing more money, stadium upgrades running close to deadlines, and political debates threatening to overshadow the football. Thankfully, the vast majority of preparations across the three countries are well advanced.

Every host city has a dedicated organising team and, in our experience so far, they have been incredibly welcoming and helpful towards supporters.

The venues themselves are already used to major sporting events, from NFL games and Formula One races to concerts and Super Bowls, and local organisers are extremely confident that supporters will have a brilliant experience. There are still some operational details to finalise, but everything appears broadly on track.

Organisation is far from simple when you are dealing with multiple cities, states, provinces and government agencies across three separate countries. Safe to say our contact list for this tournament is significantly longer than any previous one.

Several stadiums have undergone major renovations ahead of the tournament and, as is standard at FIFA competitions, all venues will operate under temporary FIFA-approved names rather than their sponsored names.

Just two of England’s three group-stage venues are not actually located in the cities advertised. The Dallas Stadium is located in Arlington, while the Boston Stadium is in Foxborough. Both situations will create transport challenges on matchdays. We’ll let “New York/New Jersey” off because, frankly, at least they admitted it.

Away from politics, ticket pricing, accommodation costs and the terrifying state of some flight prices, hopefully once the football begins our focus can remain firmly on the action on the pitch.

Getting to Canada, Mexico and the USA

Unlike previous tournaments such as Russia and Qatar, there is no Fan ID system in place. Each country operates its own entry requirements and it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation before travelling.

USA

For most UK citizens, entry into the United States will be through the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) scheme under the Visa Waiver Program.

The official ESTA fee is currently $40.27 USD and applications should only ever be made through the official US government website. Approval normally arrives within minutes or hours, although the US authorities advise allowing up to 72 hours.

An approved ESTA is generally valid for two years, or until your passport expires if sooner. It allows multiple visits to the United States, with stays of up to 90 days at a time.

When applying, make absolutely sure every detail matches your passport exactly. Be completely honest throughout the application process. Errors or inaccurate information can lead to refusal or problems at the border.

If you are refused an ESTA, you will usually need to apply for a full US visa through the American Embassy in London. Visa appointment availability can be limited, so do not leave this until the last minute.

Official ESTA website:

US ESTA Application

Entering the USA

Upon arrival in the United States, border procedures can feel quite strict compared to some countries. You will normally be photographed and fingerprinted electronically. In many airports, facial recognition technology is now widely used.

Border officers may ask questions about your trip, accommodation, onward travel and finances. This is completely normal.

US Customs and Border Protection officers also have broad powers to inspect electronic devices such as phones and laptops. Refusing access can result in denied entry. Ultimately, the border officer makes the final decision on admission to the country.

If you lose your passport while in the United States, you can apply for an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) through the British Embassy or a British Consulate. However, an ETD does not replace an ESTA.

Importantly, if you leave the United States on an ETD — for example to attend a match in Mexico or Canada — you will generally not be able to re-enter the USA without obtaining a proper visa. Please factor this into your travel plans carefully.

Mexico

British passport holders do not currently require a visa to visit Mexico for tourism. Entry is generally straightforward, with normal passport control procedures in place. You may be asked about the purpose of your visit and your accommodation details.

Queue times at immigration vary massively depending on the airport and arrival time. Mexico City International Airport can become extremely busy, although ongoing airport improvements should help ahead of the tournament.

If you are travelling onwards to the USA or Canada, you must separately meet the entry requirements for those countries, including obtaining an ESTA or eTA where required.

If you lose your passport in Mexico, you will need to apply for an Emergency Travel Document. Unfortunately, should you lose your passport and end up with an ETD, you will not be able to re-enter the United States with this, so keep a close eye on your passport, especially if you have tickets for future rounds.

Canada

British passport holders travelling to Canada by air require an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization).

The official cost of a Canadian eTA is $7 CAD and most applications are approved within minutes, although some may require additional checks and documentation.

An approved eTA is generally valid for up to five years, or until your passport expires.

If you are entering Canada by land or sea, UK citizens do not currently require an eTA. However, if you later travel into the United States, you will still need a valid ESTA.

Official Canadian eTA information:

Canada eTA Information

One important warning

There are countless unofficial third-party visa and eTA websites charging inflated fees for applications. Some look extremely convincing. Always use the official government websites directly unless you particularly enjoy paying £80 for a service that officially costs about £4.

Weather

The World Cup is likely to be extremely hot in many host cities, particularly across the southern United States and Mexico.

Hydration stations will be common around stadiums and organisers have repeatedly stressed the importance of staying hydrated. In many venues, free water refill stations will be available if you bring an empty clear plastic bottle.

Humidity will also be a major factor, especially in places such as Miami, Houston and parts of Mexico. Sun cream, hats and light clothing will quickly become essentials rather than luxuries.

Temperatures in some cities are expected to regularly exceed 30°C. Dallas organisers themselves admitted that some locals leave the city during summer because of the heat, which probably tells you everything you need to know.

Money

Three countries means three different currencies.

Canada uses the Canadian Dollar (CAD). Canada is largely cashless and card payments are accepted almost everywhere. Carrying a small amount of cash is still sensible for emergencies.

The USA uses the US Dollar (USD). Card payments are extremely common, although carrying some cash for tips or smaller purchases is useful.
In bars and restaurants across both the USA and Canada, staff may hold onto your debit or credit card while you run a tab. You will usually sign a receipt at the end of the transaction, including your chosen tip amount and final total.

Mexico uses the Mexican Peso (MXN). Card payments are widely accepted in major cities and tourist areas, although cash remains more commonly used than in the USA or Canada. Carrying smaller notes is particularly useful.

ATMs are widely available across all three countries. Using official bank-operated ATMs is strongly recommended to reduce fees and avoid card-skimming risks.

Travel cards and banking apps such as Revolut and Monzo generally work very well across all three countries.

Tipping culture

Tipping culture is very different to the UK, especially in the United States where hospitality staff often rely heavily on tips as part of their income.

In restaurants, bars and cafés, tipping is generally expected unless service has been genuinely poor.

Increasingly, businesses automatically add gratuity to bills, particularly for groups, so always check before tipping twice.

It can occasionally feel like absolutely everybody expects a tip. You may genuinely be asked whether you would like to tip after buying a bottle of water from a fridge. This remains entirely at your discretion, regardless of how aggressively the payment machine stares at you.

Typical tipping expectations are:

  • USA: 18–22%
  • Canada: 15–20%
  • Mexico: 10–15% in most situations

Getting Around

By Air

Given the huge distances between host cities, many supporters will inevitably fly between matches. Fortunately, all host cities are well connected by major airports and domestic flight options are extensive.

Prices for internal flights are likely to fluctuate massively depending on England’s progress and demand around specific knockout fixtures. Booking late may become expensive, particularly for direct flights.

When flying domestically within the USA, foreign nationals are required to show valid identification, usually your passport. Naturally, travelling between countries will require your passport and any required ESTA or eTA approvals.

TSA Security

Security at major US airports is operated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Queues can be extremely long, particularly at busy airports and during peak travel periods.

Our advice is to arrive early — at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international departures where possible.

By Road

Travelling by road across Canada, Mexico and the USA is generally straightforward once you get used to driving on the right-hand side of the road. Distances are enormous compared to what most of us are used to back home, so what initially looks “quite nearby” on Google Maps can quickly turn into an eight-hour drive and a growing hatred of service stations.

Traffic conditions vary massively depending on the city. In places such as Los Angeles, Miami, Toronto, Mexico City and New York, congestion can be severe, especially during rush hour and around major sporting events. Journey times can increase dramatically with very little warning, so always leave more time than you think you’ll need.

If you are hiring a car, rules and minimum ages vary by state, province and rental company, although drivers over 25 will usually avoid younger driver surcharges. A full UK driving licence is required and some rental companies, particularly in Mexico, may also request an International Driving Permit.

Many roads across the USA, Canada and parts of Mexico operate toll systems. Rental companies often offer electronic toll packages, which are usually worth considering if you expect to drive regularly or through major cities. Otherwise, you may return home to discover you’ve accidentally spent the equivalent of a match ticket driving around Florida.

Speed limits vary considerably and local enforcement can be strict. Stop signs must always be obeyed fully — not the rolling “that’ll do” version some people occasionally attempt back home.

One major rule to remember involves school buses. If a school bus stops with flashing red lights and an extended stop sign, traffic in both directions usually has to stop. Fines for ignoring this can be severe and police take it very seriously.

Drink-driving laws are also strict across all three countries. If you are driving, don’t drink. Simple as that.

By Bus

Long-distance coach travel is a much bigger thing in North America than many people realise and can often work out considerably cheaper than internal flights, particularly if booked early.

The biggest operators are Greyhound and FlixBus, which now operate as part of the same wider network across the USA, Canada and Mexico, covering thousands of destinations.

Greyhound remains the most recognisable long-distance coach brand in North America and connects over 1,600 destinations across the three host countries. Most coaches include WiFi, charging points and onboard toilets.

FlixBus has expanded rapidly in recent years and is often one of the cheapest options available, particularly between major cities. Services are app-based, modern and generally straightforward to use.

Other useful operators include:

Megabus

Popular in parts of the USA and Canada, particularly in the northeast corridor between cities such as New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington DC. Often very cheap if booked early.

Click here

RedCoach

A more comfortable coach service operating mainly in Florida and Texas, with larger seats and fewer stops.

Click here

Peter Pan Bus Lines

Useful throughout the northeastern USA and New England region.

Click here

Trailways

Another long-running regional operator serving parts of the USA and Canada.

Click here

Coach travel is usually reliable enough, although delays are not uncommon due to traffic, weather or border crossings. Border crossings by coach between the USA and Canada or Mexico can take time, as everybody will normally disembark with passports and luggage for immigration checks.

One thing worth noting from supporter experiences online is that coach quality can vary significantly depending on the operator and route. Some services are excellent value and surprisingly comfortable, while others involve standing beside an unmarked curb wondering whether the bus actually exists.

Still, for shorter intercity trips — especially those between roughly 3–8 hours — coaches can sometimes work out easier than flying once you factor in airport security, baggage and transfers.

By Sea

Sea travel between the host countries is much less common than flying or driving, but there are still some options available if you fancy arriving at a World Cup match feeling like a Victorian explorer.

Cruises operate regularly between parts of the USA, Mexico and Canada, particularly from Florida. Miami and Fort Lauderdale are two of the biggest cruise ports in the world, with routes heading throughout the Caribbean and occasionally towards Mexico.

There are also ferry services in certain regions:

  • Ferries operate between Vancouver and Vancouver Island in Canada.
  • Services run between Seattle and parts of British Columbia.
  • Passenger ferries connect Baja California in Mexico with mainland Mexico.
  • In the northeast, ferries exist between parts of New England and eastern Canada.

That said, sea travel is unlikely to be a practical main transport option between World Cup host cities due to the distances involved and journey times. It is more likely to be something supporters incorporate into wider travel plans before or after the tournament.

If travelling internationally by sea, the same passport, ESTA and eTA requirements still apply as they would by air or land.

By Rail

Rail travel varies significantly between the three countries.

Canada’s VIA Rail network connects major cities, although journeys can be lengthy due to distances involved.

The USA has Amtrak services nationwide, though rail infrastructure is far less extensive than many European supporters may be used to. Certain routes, particularly in the northeast, are excellent, while others can be slower than expected.

Mexico’s long-distance passenger rail network is limited, so most intercity travel is done by air or coach.

Within host cities, local transport systems vary massively. Some cities have excellent metro systems, while others are heavily car-dependent. We’ll cover city-specific transport information in each host guide.

Health Insurance

We cannot stress enough how important comprehensive travel insurance is for this tournament.
Medical costs in the United States in particular can be extraordinarily expensive, even for relatively minor treatment. Without insurance, costs can quickly run into thousands of pounds.

If you hold annual travel insurance, double-check the maximum trip duration covered. Many policies only cover trips of 30 days or fewer.

None of the three host countries provide free healthcare to UK visitors. If medical treatment is required, contact your insurer as soon as possible.

Our advice is to ensure somebody travelling with you also has access to your insurance details and emergency contact information.

Medication

Bring basic medication with you, including painkillers, antihistamines, plasters and any regular prescriptions.

Keep prescription medication in its original packaging where possible and bring copies of prescriptions for any important medication. Some medications that are routine in the UK may face restrictions elsewhere, so check in advance if unsure.

Toiletries

Current hand luggage liquid restrictions remain at 100ml per container in most airports, with liquids generally needing to fit inside a clear plastic bag.

Rules continue to evolve at different airports, so always check with your airline and departure airport beforehand.

Mobile Service

Check with your mobile provider regarding roaming charges and data allowances across Canada, Mexico and the USA.

Many UK providers now offer inclusive roaming packages or bolt-ons for North America.

eSIM services are also widely available and often provide excellent value for data usage across all three countries. Public WiFi is readily available in most hotels, restaurants, airports and cafés.

Language

English and Spanish will be the two most widely spoken languages throughout the tournament.

French is also an official language in Canada, although this is unlikely to affect supporters visiting Toronto or Vancouver.

The good news is that English will comfortably get you by in virtually every host city. A few attempts at Spanish in Mexico will usually be appreciated though, even if your pronunciation immediately gives the game away.

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