The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is setting a new standard for global border management by implementing a "trusted travel" model. This approach allows pre-approved, low-risk travellers to experience faster and more predictable border clearance whilst maintaining high security standards. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) highlights this development in its latest research, marking a significant evolution in travel facilitation over the past 20 years.

The tournament, the largest in FIFA history with 48 teams, leverages digital border innovations to manage the complex logistics of international travel. In the US, over 5.9 million Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) applications were processed, with more than 5 million approvals. Additionally, 1.6 million travellers enrolled in Trusted Traveller Programmes (TTP) such as Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI, facilitating expedited entry.

Mexico has allowed citizens from over 65 countries to enter visa-free for up to 180 days, whilst Canada has streamlined entry with its NEXUS programme and the ArriveCAN app. These initiatives, including FIFA PASS and COMPASS, have improved the travel experience for fans and supported border authorities in managing demand.

Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC, stated, “The FIFA World Cup has consistently demonstrated that border management can evolve from a barrier into an enabler of global connectivity.” Looking forward, the WTTC emphasises the need for interoperable solutions as future mega-events, like the 2030 FIFA World Cup, become more complex and geographically distributed

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