FIFA 2026- Travel Disruptions by Hosts Heighten Concerns in Foreign Travellers
February 10, 2026 Team Contibutor
Few events spark as much mass hysteria and nostalgia as the FIFA World Cup. For the first time, 48 teams will compete across 16 cities in three nations: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. FIFA has already opened ticket applications, receiving over 500 million requests, mostly coming from Germany.
FIFA estimates the event will generate $30.5 billion and create 185,000 U.S. jobs this year. This is crucial at a time when new data shows fewer Europeans are choosing to travel to the U.S.
But there’s more to it than meets the eye.
Through the lenses of international travellers
Traveller concerns about venues, a string of advisories issued by different countries, and media reports citing rights groups warning people to avoid travel to the US are making headlines.
These are certainly prompting some international travellers to rethink their plans. The political climate around immigration and the slew of policy changes effected by the US seem to be shaping global perceptions.
France was first to reposition its travel advisory last month after the death of two US citizens reportedly at the hands of ICE officers in protests at Minneapolis. It urged French nationals not to travel to the city centre of Minneapolis, stay away from gatherings, and to limit travel within the destination if necessary. Finland also issued a similar warning on the same day.
Germany soon followed suit, alerting to a flare-up which could further involve migration and security officials. There has been a significant drop in German tourists during the Trump reign, but thanks to FIFA, fans from the footballing nation are booking longer trips, averaging 14 days, and visiting the widest range of host cities.
Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs also issued a travel advisory asking Irish citizens to exercise caution when travelling to the Twin Cities area.
As for Canada, it hasn’t singled out Minneapolis. However, it has asked Canadians travelling to the US for FIFA 2026 to carry proof of their match tickets and accommodations. They have been asked to comply closely with entry requirements. Canadians are also advised to travel by air rather than land.
Voices from Florida leading the charge
Meanwhile, vehement protests by rights groups in Florida have further exacerbated the ongoing situation. A coalition comprising the ACLU of Florida and the Florida Immigration Coalition doesn’t want fans to travel to the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, which will host a total of seven matches.
Adding to the concerns, Tessa Petit, the executive director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition, warned, “When federal and local agents can detain anyone at any time without cause and without identifying themselves, everyone is at risk.”
Reports suggest that some 20,000 individuals were apprehended by ICE in different state-wide operations, giving the civil rights group enough reasons to believe that something similar might happen when a million fans from different nations will flock to the city.
The Florida immigrant coalition issued a FIFA world cup alert, after the state’s Governor Ron DeSantis made it legally binding on all state and local officials to fully cooperate with ICE. This makes it the first state to issue such a diktat.
Despite the political developments, all three nations are swiftly moving ahead with preparations for one of the largest sporting events in history.
Some interesting stats about traveller sentiment
The Global Rescue Winter 2026 Traveller Sentiment and Safety Survey reveals telling stats.
Recent data shows a sharp “anxiety gap” between local and international 2026 World Cup fans. U.S. travellers are mostly optimistic, while international visitors are far more worried.
Domestic fans feel secure about the tournament. In contrast, international respondents report more stress.
- Specifically, among non-U.S. travellers, only 45% say they are “not at all concerned,” whereas nearly 35% are moderately or very concerned about their visit.
- U.S. Travellers: In contrast, 56% are not worried at all. Only 19% report high levels of concern.
Men and women report similar worry overall, but the intensity varies between groups.
- For example, women are more likely to feel “slightly concerned” (28% compared to 23% of men).
- Men are twice as likely to be “very concerned” (8% vs. 4% of women).
Conserving the universal message
With preparations underway for the June 11, 2026, kickoff, organisers are working round the clock. Global events of this nature involve complex logistics, and with FIFA 2026 in its new avatar spread over three nations, it will be an uphill task for those involved. Travel restrictions, the political climate and the apprehensions run counter to the spirit of the game- to unify nations beyond boundaries.
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