The 2026 World Cup runs across three countries, and each one has its own travel authorization system. For fans whose passport doesn't need a full visa, those systems are the US ESTA, Canada's eTA, and Mexico's FMM. The fastest way to understand which applies to you is to know that they're not interchangeable, you may need more than one, and the application timing is different for each. Here is the side-by-side.
| ESTA (USA) | eTA (Canada) | FMM (Mexico) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Electronic System for Travel Authorization | Electronic Travel Authorization | Forma Migratoria Múltiple (Multiple Migration Form) |
| Cost | $21 USD | $7 CAD | Free if arriving by air (included in airfare), MX$717 if by land |
| Validity | 2 years or until passport expires (multiple entries) | 5 years or until passport expires (multiple entries) | Single trip, up to 180 days |
| Processing time | Up to 72 hours, usually minutes | Usually minutes, can take days for some applicants | Issued at point of entry (air arrival) or online before land crossing |
| Who needs it | Visa Waiver Program countries (40 nations including UK, Germany, France, Japan, Australia, South Korea) | Visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to or transiting through Canada (UK, EU, Australia, Japan, etc.). US citizens do not need an eTA. | Most foreign nationals visiting Mexico, including US, Canadian, and Visa Waiver Program citizens. Some nationalities still need a full visa. |
| Apply at | esta.cbp.dhs.gov (official only) | canada.ca/eta (official only) | inm.gob.mx (online) or at airport on arrival |
| Apply before | At least 72 hours before flight (recommended several days) | Before booking ticket if possible, required before boarding | Before land crossing, or fill out on plane / at airport for air arrivals |
| What it does not do | Not a visa, not a guarantee of entry. CBP officer at port of entry makes final decision. | Not a visa, not a guarantee of entry. CBSA officer at port of entry makes final decision. | Not a visa. Standard tourist status, no work permitted. |
Which one do you actually need?
It depends entirely on your passport and which host countries you're entering. The Group A draw runs matches in Mexico City and Monterrey. Group B has matches in Vancouver and Toronto. Most groups play in two or three countries. So a typical fan following one team will need either two or all three of these.
If you have a US passport
You don't need an ESTA. To enter Canada you need an eTA if flying, nothing if driving across the border (you just need a passport or NEXUS card). For Mexico you need an FMM, which is free if you arrive by air and is given to you on the plane or at immigration.
If you have a Canadian passport
You don't need an eTA. To enter the USA you need an ESTA if flying or driving (Visa Waiver Program rules apply). For Mexico you need an FMM, free by air, paid by land.
If you have a UK, EU, Australian, Japanese, or other Visa Waiver Program passport
You need all three: ESTA for the USA, eTA for Canada, FMM for Mexico. The ESTA and eTA are valid for multiple entries over years, so apply once and you're set. The FMM is single-trip, so you'll get a new one each time you enter Mexico.
Application order: when to apply for each
If you need all three, the right order minimizes risk.
- 1.ESTA first. Even though processing is fast, errors on the application can require resubmission. Apply 4-8 weeks before your flight.
- 2.eTA second. Same logic, apply 2-4 weeks ahead. Some applicants are flagged for additional review which takes days.
- 3.FMM last. Apply online up to 30 days before entry if entering Mexico by land. If flying in, the airline will hand you the form on the plane or you fill it in at the airport kiosk.
What happens at the border
Having an approved ESTA, eTA, or FMM doesn't guarantee entry. The officer at the port of entry makes the final decision. Be ready to show: your passport, the World Cup match ticket (the FIFA app QR code is fine), proof of accommodation, proof of onward travel or return flight, and a card for any incidental fees.
Common mistakes that delay applications
- •Applying via a third-party site that charges $50-100 extra. ESTA is $21 direct, eTA is $7 CAD direct. Skip the agencies, the official URLs are above.
- •Letting your passport's expiration date fall within 6 months of your travel date. Renew first, then apply.
- •Booking through a connecting airport in a country that needs its own authorization (e.g. transiting Toronto on a flight to NYC means you still need an eTA).
- •Different names on passport vs application. Even punctuation matters. Use exactly what's on the passport machine-readable zone.
Bottom line
For most international fans the answer is: apply for ESTA and eTA right now (they're cheap and last for years), and worry about the FMM closer to your Mexico trip. For US and Canadian fans, the only paperwork is for the country you're not already in. For everyone, do this 6-8 weeks before kickoff (June 11, 2026) at the latest.
If your passport requires a full visa for any of the three countries, treat that as a much bigger project than these short-form authorizations. Start now and prepare for the possibility of consulate interviews and waits measured in months rather than days.