Tartan Army advised to check passports and visas

Following the match on Tuesday when Scotland won against Denmark and secured a place in the World Cup, members of the Tartan Army are advised on travel.

The leading consumer charity says it is a good time to check their passports and start planning travel ahead of the FIFA World Cup 26™.

Advice Direct Scotland said fans should ensure their travel documents are in order as they prepare for the nation’s first appearance at the tournament in nearly 30 years.
The 2026 World Cup kicks off in June at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, and will be hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
With Scotland sealing qualification after a dramatic 4-2 win over Denmark at Hampden last night, thousands of fans are expected to make the journey across the Atlantic.
Advice Direct Scotland, which runs the consumeradvice.scot service, has warned fans not to get caught out by passport and visa rules, scams, or venue changes.
The charity has issued a checklist of things that travelling supporters should consider as they start to get their plans in order ahead of next summer’s tournament.

Andrew Bartlett, chief executive at Advice Direct Scotland, said: “The Scotland team has made history and made the country proud. The Tartan Army now has the chance to see the country at its first World Cup for almost three decades.
“Supporters have already been urged to book flights early if they want the best prices, because as soon as the fixtures are announced, fares will be pushed up.
“But anyone planning to travel should remember that although booking early will save money, it is a gamble when we don’t yet know where Scotland will be playing.
“Travel insurance is a must, and supporters should also consider flexible booking options. Some airlines offer tickets with date or destination changes for a small fee.
“It’s also important for fans to ensure that their passports are valid for at least six months beyond their return date, and to check entry and visa requirements for the host countries.”

Advice Direct Scotland’s travel checklist for the Tartan Army is as follows:

Passport and visa requirements

This tournament spans three countries, meaning fans must check entry requirements for Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Most countries require at least six months’ passport validity beyond the travel dates.
Visa processing times can be lengthy, especially for the United States, so it is best to apply early. There is no single ‘fan visa’ for the tournament, and entry to one country does not guarantee access to the others.
Entry rules for the three host nations are as follows:

• Before entering the United States, UK nationals must apply using its Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA), or alternatively obtain a visa.
• To enter or transit through Canada, most people need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), which they can apply for online.
• UK citizens who are visiting Mexico as a tourist do not need a visa. You will get a stamp in your passport with the number of days you are allowed to stay.

Travel insurance and health cover

Fans are strongly advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellations, medical emergencies, theft or damage to belongings. Policies vary widely, so check the limits and exclusions carefully.

Tickets

Tickets for World Cup 2026 are only available through FIFA’s official ticketing portal and its resale/exchange marketplace.
Those who buy from ticket touts or unofficial sites risk losing their money and being denied entry. FIFA’s resale platform is the only legal way to transfer tickets.
Resale prices in the United States and Canada are uncapped and can be extremely high, but Mexico enforces face-value caps.

Travelling between cities

The tournament next year is spread across three countries and covers vast distances, with more than 2,000 miles between some venues. Careful planning is essential.

Details of the draw

Scotland’s group stage locations will only be confirmed after the draw on 5 December. FIFA President, Gianni Infantino and US President Donald Trump announced from the White House the details of when the draw will be made next month.

The football body will make the draw for the group stages on 5 December at the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC. Only at that point will the match venues become known for the 48 teams taking part. At the draw the FIFA World Cup Trophy will be on display tempting all the teams ahead of the final which will be played at New York New Jersey Stadium on 19 July next year.

There are 16 hosts cities, two in Canada, three in Mexico and 11 in the US. Fans from each of the host cities can take part in a special lottery to win complimentary admission which may include a VIP experience.

The draw will commence at 12.00pm local time (18.00CET) and will be beamed to the three host countries and around the globe by FIFA’s Media Partners. Further details of the draw, including broadcast information and the full draw procedures, will be published on FIFA.com in due course.

The teams representing the host countries will be assigned to positions A1 (Mexico), B1 (Canada) and D1 (USA), as per the match schedule released last year. 

As well as the Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup 26 being staged in the US capital in December, the FIFA play-off tournament – a new event that will involve six nations from five of the six confederations (with UEFA to hold a separate play-off competition for the final four European spots) competing for two places at the global event – will be hosted in North America in March next year. Then, on 30 April, the 76th FIFA Congress will take place in Vancouver, Canada, as the countdown to the eagerly anticipated kick-off at the Estadio Azteca Mexico City on 11 June continues.