Why FIFA Fans Are Being Urged to “Apply Early”
Canada is getting ready to host matches for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, along with the 76th FIFA Congress in Toronto. To prepare for an influx of fans, players, media, and event staff, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released special guidance and a temporary public policy related to FIFA-connected travel.
Whether you are a fan visiting or coming to work at FIFA, you will need to plan in advance.
Fans: Visitor Visas, eTAs and the FIFA Flag in Your Application
If you’re coming to Canada as a fan, citizens of visa-required countries must apply for a visa (a TRV) and citizens of visa-exempt countries generally need an eTA if flying to Canada.
You do not need to have a FIFA ticket to apply.
- Having a ticket does not guarantee visa or eTA approval.
- IRCC has created a special notation to put in your application
If you’re from a visa-required country, Guberman // Appleby can help you prepare a strong Temporary Resident Visa Canada application that clearly explains your ties home, your travel plans, and how you’ll fund your trip.
FIFA-Invited Players, Staff, Volunteers and Media: No Work Permit, But Still a Visa or eTA
The recent IRCC announcement introduced a special work-permit exemption for certain people formally invited by FIFA to work on the tournament and the FIFA Congress. Under this temporary public policy, FIFA-invited players, match officials, team personnel, many media and broadcast staff, and volunteers do not need a Canadian work permit to carry out their FIFA-related duties in Canada during the FIFA event period.
However, this exemption is narrower than many people realize:
- It applies only if you have official documentation such as an invitation from FIFA.
- You may still need a visitor visa or eTA based on your nationality and how you travel.
- You still must satisfy all usual admissibility, security, and documentation requirements at the border.
If you’re a contractor, supplier, or other professional working with FIFA-connected organizations, your situation may be more complex. You might fall into the “FIFA-invited workers” category, or you may require a regular Canadian work permit if neither you nor your company has been formally invited by FIFA, even though you are still involved in the event. In those cases, it can be valuable to speak with a Canadian immigration lawyer to determine whether you truly qualify under the FIFA exemption or need a different work authorization strategy.
Other Workers Supporting FIFA: When a Work Permit Is Still Required
Not everyone coming to Canada for FIFA will be covered by the FIFA work-permit exemption. IRCC’s guidance makes it clear that other types of workers – for example, staff hired by Canadian companies for stadium services, security, hospitality, temporary construction, or local event operations – may still need a work permit, depending on the role.
In practice, that could mean:
- Business visitors attending meetings, negotiations, or short site visits who can qualify under business visitor rules, supported by proper documentation.
- Foreign workers who must apply for a Canadian work permit under existing programs (for example, Significant Benefit, CUSMA, or other International Mobility Program categories).
If you’re an international company sending staff to Canada to support FIFA-adjacent operations, Guberman // Appleby can explain whether your team can enter as business travel to Canada or whether they require a specific work permit category before arriving.
Criminal Records, Prior Refusals and Inadmissibility: Don’t Leave This to the Last Minute
One of the most common surprises for sports fans is discovering, at the last minute, that an old criminal charge or previous refusal makes them inadmissible to Canada. IRCC has reminded travellers that standard admissibility rules fully apply to FIFA-related visitors, including those with criminal histories.
If you have:
- A DUI, assault, theft, or similar conviction
- A previous refusal for a Canadian visa or entry
- Medical issues that might raise questions at the border
you may need a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) or Criminal Rehabilitation before you can legally enter Canada – even as a tourist attending matches.
Our inadmissibility to Canada page explains how TRPs and Criminal Rehabilitation applications work and why they often take months, not days. For FIFA fans and workers in this situation, it’s essential to start early so your application can be prepared and filed well before summer 2026.
Crossing Between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico for Multiple FIFA Matches
Many fans will not only watch matches in Toronto or Vancouver, but also travel to games in U.S. and Mexican host cities. Each country has its own visa rules:
- Canada requires a TRV or eTA for many visitors, and has released FIFA-specific guidance, including special treatment for FIFA-invited workers and volunteers.
- The United States has announced a World Cup fast-track visa system, but has been clear that a ticket does not guarantee entry; standard screening and potential refusals still apply.
If you’re planning a multi-country FIFA itinerary, it’s wise to look at both Canadian and U.S. immigration requirements in one integrated plan. Guberman // Appleby’s team includes both Canadian and US immigration lawyer capabilities from Toronto, so they can help you map out the right mix of Canadian TRVs/eTAs and U.S. visitor visas or waivers where needed.
Key Timing Takeaways for FIFA 2026 Travellers
Even though the tournament is next summer, the practical reality is that FIFA-related travel planning starts now. Based on current IRCC guidance:
- You can apply early: You do not need a match ticket in hand to apply for a visitor visa or eTA.
- Processing takes time: TRVs, TRPs, work permits, and rehabilitation applications often take weeks or months. FIFA does not “fast-track” your case automatically.
- Border officers still decide: Even with a visa, eTA, or work-permit exemption, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers make final entry decisions at the port of entry.
- Documentation matters: Detailed travel plans, proof of funds, employment letters, FIFA invitation letters, and evidence of ties home all help support a smoother entry.
Working with experienced Canadian immigration lawyers can help you anticipate potential issues and file a complete, well-documented application the first time.
How Guberman // Appleby Immigration Lawyers Can Help
FIFA 2026 is a once-in-a-generation event for football fans, players, and businesses. But immigration rules haven’t been suspended – they’ve been fine-tuned for a very specific group of FIFA-connected travellers, while the usual Canadian and U.S. rules still apply to everyone else.
Guberman // Appleby Immigration Lawyers can help you:
- Determine whether you need a TRV, eTA, work permit, or TRP for your FIFA-related trip.
- Prepare a Temporary Resident Visa Canada application that clearly explains your FIFA-related travel.
- Assess and address inadmissibility to Canada or to the U.S. if you have a criminal record or past immigration issues.
- Advise employers, sponsors, and organizations on business travel to Canada and appropriate work permit categories for staff supporting FIFA-related operations.
- Coordinate Canadian and U.S. immigration strategies through their integrated Canadian and US immigration lawyer practice.
If you’re planning to travel to Canada for FIFA 2026 – as a fan, worker, volunteer, media professional, or corporate sponsor – consider booking a consultation with Guberman // Appleby now, while there is still time to plan, apply, and resolve any immigration complexities well before next summer’s first whistle.
