Travelling to Canada for the FIFA World Cup 2026? Here is What You Need to Know About Visas and Work Permits
Canada will host 13 matches during the FIFA World Cup 2026, with games taking place in Toronto and Vancouver between June 11 and July 19, 2026.
For many visitors, this will be a chance to watch one of the world’s biggest sporting events in person. For others, the trip may involve volunteering, media work, event support, or other temporary work connected to the tournament.
Before making travel plans, it is important to check what authorization you need to enter Canada. Depending on your citizenship, how you travel, and the reason for your visit, you may need a visitor visa, an electronic Travel Authorization, commonly called an eTA, or even a work permit. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has created a dedicated webpage for foreign nationals who plan to visit or work in Canada temporarily for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Anyone planning to travel for the event should review the requirements early.
Travelling to Canada as a Fan
If you are coming to Canada to watch a FIFA World Cup match as a fan, you may need a visitor visa or an eTA. The requirement depends mainly on two things: your citizenship and your method of travel to Canada.
A visitor visa, also known as a temporary resident visa, is placed in your passport. It allows travellers from visa-required countries to come to Canada for a temporary stay. An eTA is different. It is an electronic travel authorization for visa-exempt foreign nationals who are flying to Canada. It is linked directly to the traveller’s passport.
Visitor visa applications usually take longer to process than eTA applications. An eTA may be approved within minutes or days, while a visitor visa can take weeks or months, depending on the applicant’s country and circumstances. Because of this, travellers should apply as early as possible.
Some travellers do not need a visitor visa or an eTA. For example, U.S. citizens can enter Canada with proper documentation, such as a valid passport. U.S. permanent residents must carry a valid passport and proof of their U.S. permanent resident status. French nationals living in St. Pierre and Miquelon who arrive directly from St. Pierre and Miquelon may also be exempt. It is also important to understand that having a FIFA match ticket does not guarantee entry to Canada. A ticket is not required to apply for a visitor visa or an eTA, and it does not guarantee that an application will be approved.
How to Mention FIFA World Cup Travel in Your Application
If you are travelling to Canada specifically for the FIFA World Cup 2026, IRCC encourages applicants to mention this in the application.
For eTA applications, applicants can write “FIFA World Cup 26” as an additional detail in the “Background Questions” section. For visitor visa applications, applicants can include the same wording in the section that asks, “Tell us more about what you’ll do in Canada.” This information is collected for tracking purposes only. It does not create priority processing. It also does not exempt the applicant from regular entry requirements.
Working or Volunteering at the FIFA World Cup 2026
Not everyone coming to Canada for the World Cup is coming as a spectator. Some foreign nationals may be travelling as players, team personnel, match staff, volunteers, media workers, or event workers.
Certain groups may be exempt from needing a work permit. This may include FIFA players, team personnel, referees, and match staff. It may also include media and broadcast personnel invited to cover the event. Volunteers invited directly by FIFA to support a FIFA-organized event may also be exempt. The same may apply to workers invited by FIFA to work at an official FIFA-organized event. However, the key point is that the person must have received information directly from FIFA. A general interest in volunteering or working at the event is not enough.
Even when a work permit is not required, the traveller may still need a visitor visa or an eTA to enter Canada. That requirement still depends on citizenship and method of travel. Applicants should also follow the instructions in their FIFA invitation letter when completing their application.
Workers Who May Still Need a Work Permit
If you have not been invited by FIFA to work at an official FIFA-organized event, you may still need a work permit.
This depends on the type of work you will be doing in Canada. Some activities may be work permit-exempt, while others may require a proper work permit before entering Canada or starting work. This is especially important for contractors, event staff, service providers, and others who may be involved in work connected to the tournament but are not directly invited by FIFA.
Even if a work permit is not required, a visitor visa or eTA may still be required. Anyone planning to work or volunteer should check the requirements before travelling.
Travelling to Canada with a Criminal Record
Travellers should also be aware that Canada has strict rules on criminal inadmissibility.
A foreign national may be denied entry to Canada if they are considered criminally inadmissible under Canadian law. This can happen even if the offence occurred outside Canada. It can also happen even if the offence is considered minor in the country where it happened.
Canadian authorities assess foreign offences by comparing them to the closest offence under Canadian law. Inadmissibility may arise from past convictions, pending charges, or even from having committed an offence.
Depending on the situation, some individuals may be able to overcome inadmissibility through one of the following options:
• Temporary Resident Permit
• Deemed Rehabilitation
• Criminal Rehabilitation
A Temporary Resident Permit is discretionary. It may be issued only when an officer is satisfied that the person has a compelling reason to enter Canada and that the need to enter outweighs any potential risk to public safety. This means a football match may not always be considered a strong enough reason for entry, especially if there are concerns about criminal inadmissibility.
Criminal Rehabilitation and Temporary Resident Permit applications can take time. Anyone with a criminal history should review their situation well before the tournament.
Plan Early Before Travelling
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will bring many visitors to Canada. Toronto and Vancouver are expected to welcome fans, workers, media personnel, and volunteers from around the world.
But travel plans should not start with flight tickets only. Visitors should first confirm whether they need a visitor visa, an eTA, or a work permit. Those with a criminal record should also check whether there may be any inadmissibility concerns. Applying early is the safest option. Processing times can vary, and holding a match ticket does not guarantee approval or entry to Canada.
