Heading abroad to watch the FIFA Football World Cup?

Plan ahead and be aware of potential health risks

Are you a football fan travelling to the 2026 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Football World Cup?

This year’s FIFA World Cup is taking place in Canada, Mexico and the USA from 11 June to 19 July 2026 [1 – 3] with the final due to be played on 19 July 2026, in the USA [4]. You can check here for details of fixtures and match schedules.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) provides specific World Cup guidance - you can sign up to receive FCDO email alerts about Canada, Mexico and the USA by signing up via a link on the appropriate FCDO country page.

Advice for travellers

Before you travel

Make sure you get comprehensive travel insurance that covers all the countries you are visiting.

Check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice before you go and during your trip.

If you have any medical conditions, discuss your travel plans with your doctor or hospital specialist. Make sure you are well prepared for carrying medication abroad if you take regular prescribed medicines.

See our Country Information pages for information about health risks, prevention advice and vaccine recommendations for Canada, Mexico and the USA.

Make sure you are up to date with any destination-specific travel vaccines and all routine UK vaccines including mumps, measles, rubella (MMR/MMRV) vaccines. If appropriate, make an appointment with your practice nurse, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider for vaccines and health advice before you go.

While you are away

Be prepared for crowded conditions and think ahead about how you will manage being part of a large crowds of fans – see our mass gatherings information for more advice. Carry a simple first aid kit that includes an over the counter remedy for travellers’ diarrhoea and try make sure you know locations of the closest hospital or medical clinic.

Reduce your risk of injury and illness by:

• following good food and water hygiene advice
• washing your hands frequently
• avoiding insect bites
• taking care around water and while driving, using public transport or taxis
• using appropriate sun protection – remember temperatures may be higher, so drink plenty of water
• being aware of your surroundings and taking care of your personal safety at all times

Try to watch how much alcohol you drink and remember spiking with drugs or alcohol is a risk worldwide [5]. Be alert, watch your drink at all times and never accept drinks from strangers [5].

Fake alcohol can also be a risk abroad, including drinks spiked with a poison called methanol [5 - 7] and travellers have died or suffered serious illness after drinking alcoholic drinks contaminated with methanol [5]. Always buy alcohol from reputable bars or shops, check bottle seals are intact and be extremely careful if buying spirit-based drinks. See the FCDO’s detailed advice about drink spiking and methanol poisoning for more advice.

Always be aware of your risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) - carry and use condoms consistently and correctly with all new sexual partners.

When you return

If you become unwell with a fever, flu-like illness, persistent or bloody diarrhoea or any other unusual symptoms, seek urgent medical attention. Be sure to tell your nurse, doctor or other health professional you’ve recently been abroad and provide them with details of all the countries you visited.

If you have symptoms that  may suggest you have an STI,  or have no symptoms but have had unprotected sex, call NHS 111 or visit a sexual health clinic. In the United Kingdom STI testing is free and confidential.