As the FIFA World Cup 2026 gets underway across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has released new research highlighting how the tournament is redefining international travel through advanced border management and digital travel solutions.

Titled "FIFA World Cup Border Management & Visa Facilitation: 20 Years of Evolution (2006–2026)", the report explores how the world's biggest football tournament has driven major changes in how countries manage cross-border travel. The 2026 edition marks a historic milestone as the first FIFA World Cup to be hosted by three countries simultaneously and the largest in the tournament's history, featuring 48 teams.

According to WTTC, the scale of the event has encouraged the adoption of innovative digital systems that make travel both secure and efficient. A key feature of the 2026 tournament is the use of a trusted traveller model, allowing pre-approved, low-risk travellers to move through border controls more quickly while maintaining strong security standards.

In the lead-up to the tournament, the United States received more than 5.9 million Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) applications, with over 5 million approvals granted for visa-free travel. Additionally, more than 1.6 million travellers enrolled in Trusted Traveller Programmes such as Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI, helping speed up border clearance across the three host nations.

Technology has also played an important role in improving the traveller experience. FIFA PASS has helped ticket holders secure priority visa appointments, while COMPASS, an AI-powered digital assistant, has provided guidance on travel and entry requirements, helping visitors navigate the process more easily.

Mexico has supported smoother travel by allowing citizens from over 65 countries to enter visa-free for stays of up to 180 days. Travellers holding valid visas or residency permits from the United States, Canada, Japan, the UK, or the Schengen Area have also been exempt from Mexican tourism visa requirements. The country's Viajero Confiable programme further streamlines arrivals through automated kiosks and dedicated immigration lanes.

Canada has introduced similar measures through its NEXUS trusted traveller programme, enabling faster border clearance through e-gates and kiosks. Visitors have also been able to use the ArriveCAN app to complete customs and immigration declarations up to 72 hours before arrival, giving access to express lanes at major airports, including those in Toronto and Vancouver.

The WTTC report notes that these developments are the result of two decades of progress in border management. Germany 2006 focused on expanding traditional visa processing within the Schengen framework, while South Africa 2010 introduced the first Event Visa and advance passenger screening. Brazil 2014 followed with dedicated visa categories and a specialised legal framework. Russia 2018 introduced the FAN ID system, combining entry, transportation, and stadium access, while Qatar 2022 expanded the concept through its Hayya digital platform, which later evolved into a permanent e-visa system.

WTTC believes these tournaments have demonstrated how major global events can drive long-term improvements in travel systems, creating more connected and efficient experiences for visitors.

Commenting on the findings, Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC, said:

"The FIFA World Cup has consistently demonstrated that border management can evolve from a barrier into an enabler of global connectivity. 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.

The lessons from these tournaments show that digital identity and strong pre-travel screening can enhance both entry processes and the overall traveller experience. Developing interoperable, multi-jurisdictional systems will be the next frontier. Not only for mega-events, but for global travel, helping deliver safer, faster and more seamless journeys for everyone."

Looking ahead, WTTC noted that the need for coordinated travel systems will become even more important as future mega-events grow in scale. With the FIFA World Cup 2030 expected to span six nations across three continents, interoperable border solutions will play a crucial role in ensuring smooth and secure international travel.