Still looking to make it to the FIFA World Cup in US, Canada & Mexico? Here’s how you can

The FIFA World Cup kick-off is just a few weeks away. With 48 countries playing a total of 104 matches across 16 cities in the US, Canada and Mexico, the stage is set for the greatest football event.

If you still want to watch the World Cup matches, book your flights, hotels and tickets now.

But what if you do not have a US, Canada or Mexico visa? Is it still possible to get visas for the three host countries?

US visa

Currently, it is near-impossible to get an appointment for a fresh US visa at very short notice.

Travellers without a valid US visa may struggle to attend matches hosted in American cities unless they already hold long-term visas or have previously secured appointments.

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Canada visa

Though Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) does not publish official rejection rates, industry experts say that the current Canada visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa, or TRV) rejection rate for Indian applicants is estimated between 60 and 80 per cent.

Add to that the fact that Canada visa application appointment slots are not easily available.

Mexico visa

If you have a valid multiple-entry US, UK or Schengen visa, you can enter Mexico.

If you do not have these valid visas, apply for an appointment online only through the official website. Officially, the visa processing time is two-three days, though it may vary. The single-entry Mexican tourist visa fee is Rs 3,850.

Flight options

Flight costs are extremely volatile right now. The earlier you book your flight ticket, the better.

In your travel insurance, check clauses and rules regarding disruptions or cancellations due to war or any other unforeseen circumstance.

All flight prices valid at the time of writing are for economy-class return flights in June 2026.

* New Delhi to New York (US) starts at Rs 98,000

* New Delhi to Los Angeles (US) starts at Rs 128,000

* New Delhi to Dallas (US) starts at Rs 135,000

* New Delhi to Mexico City (Mexico) starts at Rs 93,000

* New Delhi to Vancouver (Canada) starts at Rs 137,000

* New Delhi to Toronto (Canada) starts at Rs 129,000

FIFA match tickets: Avoid scams

Buy tickets only from the official FIFA website.

Be wary of third-party sellers, “guaranteed” tickets, or prices that seem too low. Do not buy paper tickets or PDFs, as most tickets are digital via the FIFA app.

On its official website, FIFA has two tabs:

1. Last Minute Sales

2. Marketplace, where residents of most countries may resell tickets; Mexican residents can exchange them

FIFA’s resale platform is the primary authorised destination to buy and sell verified tickets at regulated prices.

If you are buying from a secondary marketplace such as StubHub, verify the credibility of the platform and read the Terms & Conditions carefully. Also note that ticket prices on secondary marketplaces are generally heavily inflated.

Sign up on FIFA’s official website to receive alerts about ticket price drops.

According to Goal.com, ticket prices vary according to the match:

* Group Stage: USD 60-620

* Round of 16: USD 170-980

* Semi-finals: USD 420-3,295

* Final: USD 2,030-7,875

Remember, tickets will not be available for purchase at stadiums.

FIFA holiday packages and accommodation

Staying close to the match venue will be much more expensive than staying a few miles away and using public transport to reach the stadium ahead of kick-off time.

Look for hotels on different online platforms, compare prices and then book.

You can also buy Hospitality packages on FIFA’s official website. You can pick the match or city, room type, and options will appear accordingly.

For example: A one-night stay for two travellers for the July 3 match in Dallas (Texas) will cost $368 at Holiday Inn, $268 at Homewood Suites by Hilton Dallas, $121 at Travelodge by Wyndham (tariff excludes tax).

For the June 11 match in Mexico City, the per-night tariff (excluding taxes) is $207 at CityExpress by Marriott, $198 at Ramada by Wyndham, and $783 at JW Marriott.

Fans can also book Experiences ranging from city tours with a twist, such as bespoke bike trips or scenic hikes, to exclusive activities like private wine tastings.

Car rentals are also available through the Hospitality section.

Match-watching tips

Security at stadiums will be very tight, so get to the stadium at least 90 minutes before kick-off.

Ensure you carry a valid photo ID.

Check stadium rules about what you can carry. Different stadiums may have different rules regarding large bags, professional cameras and other items.

Flares, laser pointers, and political, offensive or discriminatory banners are prohibited in all stadiums.

Selfie sticks, tripods and video cameras are prohibited (check individual stadium rules).

Food inside stadiums is expensive. It may be a good idea to eat beforehand.

Water or any other liquid exceeding 100mL cannot be brought in, but empty reusable water bottles are allowed.

Baby milk and sterilised water in containers will be permitted, subject to inspection.

Smartphones, spectacles, watches, medical masks and cultural or religious headgear are permitted.

Keep a scan of your ticket on your phone.

Must-eat dishes in each of the 16 host cities

1. Toronto: Poutine

2. Vancouver: Sesame fries with miso gravy. Vancouver probably has the best sushi outside Japan and South Korea.

3. Guadalajara: Torta Ahogada (drowned pork sandwich).

4. Mexico City: Tacos El Pastor, the city’s iconic street food.

5. Monterrey: Cabrito (roasted baby goat).

6. Atlanta: Comfy Chicken Biscuit,

7. Boston: Lobster rolls and clam chowder

8. Dallas: Texas barbeque and kolache (sweet yeast-dough pastry)

9. Houston: In Houston, brisket is king. Grab a bite for sure!

10. Kansas City: Burnt ends (charred ends of brisket)

11. Los Angeles: Bean and cheese burrito or crispy shrimp tacos

12. Miami: Classic Cuban sandwich

13. New York/New Jersey: NYC is home to some of the best pizza in the USA. Period. And bagels.

14. Philadelphia: Philly cheesesteak

15. San Francisco: Sourdough bread bowl filled with clam chowder

16. Seattle: Pike Place Chowder, voted best in the USA

FIFA trivia

1. 2026 is the first FIFA World Cup to be co-hosted by three nations and the first to feature 48 teams.

2. The first FIFA World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930. Uruguay defeated Argentina 4–2 to lift the first World Cup trophy.

3. Brazil is the only country to have participated in every edition of the World Cup.

4. In 1958, Pelé (Brazil) became the youngest player to score a goal in the World Cup. He was only 17 years and 239 days old.

5. The original Jules Rimet Trophy was stolen just before the 1966 tournament but found seven days later by a dog named Pickles, a collie mix who discovered the missing trophy wrapped in newspaper under a bush during a walk with his owner.

6. India qualified for the 1950 World Cup but withdrew from the tournament because FIFA would not allow players to play barefoot.

7. The fastest goal ever scored in a FIFA World Cup match came in under 11 seconds - Turkey’s Hakan Şükür scored during the 2002 World Cup third-place play-off against South Korea.