Getting to the 2026 World Cup

Derek Lawson

Alright, welcome back to The Immigration Conversation. I’m Derek Lawson, here with Ruby Sturt, and today we’re talking about something a little more fun—well, fun if you’re a soccer fan, anyway. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to North America, and it’s gonna be a big one.

Ruby Sturt

Yeah, it’s massive! First time ever, three countries hosting together—U.S., Mexico, and Canada. But the U.S. is, like, the main stage, right? Most of the matches, including the final, are happening here.

Derek Lawson

That’s right. Seventy-eight out of a hundred and four matches, if I’m remembering the numbers right. Cities like New York, LA, Miami, Seattle—basically, if you can name a big U.S. city, there’s probably a match there. It’s a logistical beast, but also, I mean, what a chance for fans to see the world come to their backyard.

Ruby Sturt

And it’s not just about the football, is it? It’s about, like, borders and visas and all the stuff we talk about every week. I mean, three countries, three sets of rules. That’s a lot for fans to figure out.

Derek Lawson

Yeah, and you know, it’s funny—Detroit actually tried to get a World Cup match back in the ‘90s. Didn’t quite make the cut, but I remember the city buzzing about it. It brought people together, even just for the bid. There’s something about these big events that makes immigration and borders feel, I dunno, more real and more personal at the same time.

Ruby Sturt

Totally. And now, with three countries involved, it’s like, “Which border do I cross? Which rules do I follow?” It’s a bit of a puzzle, but also kind of exciting, right?

Derek Lawson

Yeah, exciting and, for a lot of fans, probably a little nerve-wracking. So let’s get into what people actually need to know if they want to come watch a match in the U.S.

Ruby Sturt

Alright, so, if you’re planning to come to the U.S. for the World Cup, you’re probably gonna need a B1/B2 tourist visa. That’s the standard visitor visa for tourism, events, all that jazz. Lets you stay up to six months, see the matches, travel around, maybe visit family if you’ve got any here.

Derek Lawson

But not everyone needs to go through the whole visa process, right? There’s the Visa Waiver Program—ESTA. If you’re from, say, Australia, Japan, most of Western Europe, South Korea, you can just apply online, get your ESTA, and you’re good for up to 90 days. No embassy interview, no stacks of paperwork.

Ruby Sturt

Yeah, and I actually helped a mate from back home—Australia—sort out his ESTA for a big U.S. event a couple years ago. He was stressing about it, but honestly, it was pretty straightforward. Just an online form, pay the fee, and he got approved in, like, a day. But if you’re not from a Visa Waiver country, it’s a whole different story.

Derek Lawson

Exactly. And then you’ve got countries where it’s, well, not so easy. Some places have really long wait times for B1/B2 visas. And then there are countries under current U.S. travel bans—if you’re from one of those, you can’t get a tourist visa at all right now. That’s a huge barrier for a lot of fans.

Ruby Sturt

Yeah, and it’s not just about the rules on paper. It’s about what’s actually possible. Like, you might technically be eligible, but if the wait time for an interview is six months or more, you’re probably not making it to the opening match.

Derek Lawson

And that’s something we’ve seen before, right? Like, in previous episodes, we talked about how travel bans and long processing times can really mess with people’s plans. It’s not just theory—it’s real life for a lot of folks.

Ruby Sturt

So, bottom line: if you’re from a Visa Waiver country, ESTA is your friend. If not, you need to start the B1/B2 process as soon as possible. And if you’re from a country with a travel ban, you might have to look at matches in Mexico or Canada instead.

Derek Lawson

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room—delays. Even if you’re eligible, getting a U.S. tourist visa isn’t always quick. Some embassies have appointment wait times of several months, and that’s before you even get to the interview. Then there’s processing after the interview, which can be fast or, well, not so fast.

Ruby Sturt

Yeah, and it’s not just a U.S. thing. I mean, embassies everywhere are still catching up from the pandemic, and with millions of fans trying to get in for the World Cup, it’s gonna be a bit of a traffic jam. I read about a Nigerian fan who started the process super early, but the wait for an interview was so long, he ended up looking at matches in Mexico and Canada instead. Sometimes you’ve gotta be flexible.

Derek Lawson

That’s a good point. If you’re running into roadblocks with the U.S. visa, don’t forget—Mexico and Canada are co-hosts. Their entry rules are different, and for some fans, it might be a lot easier to get in. But, you know, always check the latest requirements, because things can change fast.

Ruby Sturt

And for anyone listening who’s planning to come, here’s what you need: valid passport, completed DS-160 form, a passport-style photo, proof of funds, evidence of ties to your home country, and any records of previous U.S. trips. Oh, and patience. Lots of patience.

Derek Lawson

Yeah, and apply early. Like, as soon as you even think you might want to go. Don’t wait for your team to qualify or for tickets to go on sale. The earlier you start, the better your odds.

Ruby Sturt

And if you’re not sure about your country’s wait times, check the State Department’s website. Or, honestly, talk to an immigration expert. Sometimes the rules are clear, but the reality is a bit messier.

Derek Lawson

We actually got a listener question about this—someone asked, “If I get my visa approved, can I travel right away?” And the answer is, usually yes, but sometimes there are extra checks or delays after the interview. So, again, build in as much buffer time as you can.

Ruby Sturt

And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. We’ve talked about this in other episodes—immigration is complicated, and even for something as fun as the World Cup, it can be a lot. But with good planning, you can make it work.

Derek Lawson

Alright, that’s all for today. If you’re planning your World Cup trip, start early, check your options, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. We’ll be back soon with more on immigration news and real-world tips. Ruby, always a pleasure.

Ruby Sturt

Thanks, Derek. Good luck to all the fans out there, and we’ll catch you next time on The Immigration Conversation. Bye!

Derek Lawson

Take care, everyone. See you next episode.