- More than 5.9 million ESTA applications submitted for the tournament.
- Over 1.6 million enroll in trusted traveler programmes.
- 2026 World Cup first hosted across three nations.
The 2026 edition is the largest World Cup yet, with 48 teams across three host nations, according to the WTTC's research titled “FIFA World Cup Border Management & Visa Facilitation: 20 Years of Evolution (2000-2006)”. More than 5.9 million Electronic System for Travel Authorisation applications were submitted in the United States alone, with more than 5 million approved. More than 1.6 million travelers enrolled in trusted traveler programmes including Global Entry, NEXUS and SENTRI for faster border crossings.
At the heart of the 2026 approach is what the WTTC calls a trusted travel model. Pre-screened, low-risk travelers moved through borders faster and with fewer holdups, while security standards stayed in place. Tools like FIFA PASS, which prioritized visa appointments for ticket holders and COMPASS, an AI-powered travel assistant, helped fans sort out entry requirements well ahead of their trips.
“The FIFA World Cup has consistently demonstrated that border management can evolve from a barrier into an enabler of global connectivity,” said Gloria Guevara WTTC president and chief executive officer. “From Germany’s early focus on visa facilitation to the trusted traveller solutions seen in 2026, we are witnessing the emergence of a new model for travel. One that is digital, secure, and seamless at scale.”
Each host country handled border facilitation differently. Mexico allowed citizens of more than 65 countries to enter visa-free for stays of up to 180 days. Travelers holding valid visas or residency for the U.S., Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom or the Schengen Area were also exempt from Mexican tourism visa requirements, making it easier for fans to move between host countries. Mexico also ran its Viajero Confiable trusted traveler programme at major airports, letting eligible travelers use automated kiosks and faster immigration lanes.
The report traces how border management changed across past tournaments. Germany's 2006 World Cup operated within the Schengen visa framework, while South Africa introduced the first Event Visa and advance passenger processing in 2010. The 2014 World Cup in Brazil built a tailored legal setup for the tournament, followed by Russia's FAN ID system in 2018, which combined entry, transport and stadium access in a single document. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar introduced the Hayya digital ecosystem, which later became a permanent national e-visa platform.
The 2030 World Cup will span six nations across three continents and the WTTC said that level of complexity will push countries to work more closely on shared digital border systems.
A recent report by Navan found that business travel bookings to World Cup host cities have increased significantly, led by strong growth in travel demand to the U.S. and Canada.
