FIFA World Cup 2026:
Travel Risk Advisory

What to Consider When Planning Travel for the FIFA World Cup 2026

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will bring millions of visitors across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, creating a high-volume, multi-country operating environment. The scale of the tournament, combined with its geographic spread, will place sustained pressure on infrastructure, transport networks, and security resources across host cities.

Risk will vary significantly by location, shaped by differing national security environments and local conditions. Crime, protest activity, cyber threats, and travel disruption are all likely to influence how the event affects movement, access, and operational planning throughout the tournament.

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World Cup 2026: Travel Security & Journey Management

Our teams provide coordinated travel, secure transport, and real-time oversight across host cities – helping manage movement, access, and disruption throughout the tournament.

PLAN SECURE TRAVEL FOR THE WORLD CUP

Risk Environment Across World Cup Host Countries

The World Cup will take place across three countries with distinct risk profiles. Canada presents a relatively low-risk environment, with stable conditions and limited violent crime, though disruption from protests and environmental factors remains possible.

The United States presents a more varied risk landscape, with crime levels differing significantly by city, alongside a heightened threat of civil unrest and politically driven activity. Mexico carries the highest overall risk profile, driven primarily by organised crime, elevated levels of violent crime, and localised instability. These differences will shape how risk presents across locations throughout the tournament.

Managing Crime Exposure During the World Cup

Crime is likely to be the most consistent risk across all host locations. Large gatherings of visitors unfamiliar with local environments create opportunities for petty and opportunistic crime, particularly around stadiums, transport hubs, and tourist areas.

In parallel, organised groups are likely to target higher-value individuals through more coordinated activity, including surveillance and targeted theft. Online threats, including ticket fraud, spoofed websites, and phishing campaigns, are also expected to increase in scale during the tournament.

Civil Unrest and Disruption Risks During the FIFA World Cup 2026

The visibility and political relevance of the World Cup are likely to attract protest activity across all host nations. Both domestic and international issues may drive demonstrations, with the potential for disruption to transport, access routes, and event operations.

In some cases, protest activity may extend to direct action, including road blockades or attempts to disrupt infrastructure. While not always posing a direct threat to personal safety, these activities can significantly affect movement and operational planning.

How Threat Actors May Target the World Cup

The scale and visibility of the World Cup make it an attractive target for both organised and opportunistic threat actors. Terrorism risk is likely to centre on lone actors or small groups, particularly in high-traffic areas outside secured perimeters.

Cyber threats are also expected to increase, with both state and non-state actors targeting infrastructure, event systems, and travellers. These threats are likely to affect operations indirectly through disruption to transport, services, or communications.

THE GLOBAL RISK PODCAST

Travel Risks at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will bring millions of travellers across the US, Canada and Mexico. In this episode, Manfredi Pozzoli outlines the key risks – from crime and cyber threats to protest activity – and what they mean for those attending or operating around the event.

Access the full advisory

Download the report for a detailed assessment of risks and practical considerations for planning travel during the FIFA World Cup 2026.