FIFA World Cup: How to apply to Canada as a footbal fan, volunteer, media personnel, others

…Most categories requires a visitor visa which costs approx. N99,277 (CAD$100)

…Visas may be granted for single or multiple entries, with a validity of up to 10 years

…Visitors can generally stay in Canada for up to six months per visit.

Canada will co-host the 23rd edition of the men’s international football tournament organised by FIFA for the first time, alongside the United States (US) and Mexico. This marks the first men’s World Cup since 2002 to be co-hosted by more than one nation.

With Canada hosting part of the tournament, the Government of Canada has issued guidance for fans, players, media and broadcast personnel, officials, and other workers planning to attend or participate in matches.

These matches will take place across 16 host cities from June 11 to July 19, 2026, with eleven matches in the US, three in Mexico, and two in Canada. In Canada, the two cities are Toronto stadium and BC Place in Vancouver.

Nigerian citizens who are neither Canadian citizens nor permanent residents of Canada, or the US, will require a visitor visa.

A Canadian visitor visa costs CAD$100 and may be granted for single or multiple entries, with a validity of up to 10 years. Visitors can generally stay in Canada for up to six months per visit.

As there is no special FIFA World Cup visa, travellers are strongly advised to apply well in advance to avoid delays and ensure they can attend their events. Applications are to be submitted online here.

Here are the different categories of applicants and what they need.

Fans
Supporters travelling to Canada to attend matches will enter as tourists. Depending on citizenship and travel plans, they may need either a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorisation (eTA). A match ticket is not required to apply and does not guarantee entry approval.

Players and match officials
Players, team officials, referees and match officials do not need a work permit to take part in the tournament. However, they may still require a visitor visa or an eTA, depending on their nationality.

Media and broadcast personnel

Media and broadcast personnel do not require a work permit to enter Canada for FIFA World Cup–related activities, but a visitor visa. Those formally invited by FIFA should follow the instructions set out in their invitation letter and ensure this is clearly indicated in their application.

Applicants who are not directly invited by FIFA are also advised to state in their visitor visa application that their travel is connected to the FIFA World Cup, to help immigration officials assess their purpose of travel accurately.

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FIFA-invited workers
Individuals formally invited by FIFA to work at official FIFA-organised events do not need a work permit. Proof of invitation is required, and travellers may still need a visitor visa or eTA.

Other workers
Those not invited by FIFA but intending to work at World Cup-related events may need a work permit.

Applicants may need to find out if they need an employer-specific work permit or open work permit here

The requirements depend on the nature of the work, and early application is advised.

FIFA-invited volunteers
Volunteers officially invited by FIFA do not need a work permit. As with other categories, a visitor visa or eTA may still be required based on citizenship and mode of travel.

Canadian authorities have urged all visitors connected to FIFA World Cup 26 to check requirements carefully and apply well in advance to avoid missing the tournament.

Entry requirements for Canada visitor visa for FIFA World Cup 26

The entry requirements for those categories needing a visitor visa are as follows:

You must:

To be eligible to enter Canada, applicants must meet several conditions. First, they must hold a valid travel document, such as a passport, and be in good health. They must also have no criminal or immigration-related convictions.

In addition, applicants must be able to satisfy an immigration officer that they have strong ties to their home country, for example, through employment, property, financial assets or close family and that they will leave Canada at the end of their visit.

They must also demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to cover their stay. The amount required depends on the length of the visit and whether accommodation will be in a hotel or with friends, or with relatives.

In some cases, applicants may also be required to undergo a medical examination and provide a letter of invitation from someone living in Canada.

Check the list of documents you need here

Ngozi Ekugo

Ngozi Ekugo is a Senior Correspondent at BusinessDay. She holds a Masters in management from the University of Lagos, an undergraduate from University of Lagos, and is in an alumni of Queen's College. Shes currently an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM). She has a brief experience at Goldman sachs, London in its Human Capital Management division. She is interested in human capital development and is leveraging her varied experience across sectors to report labour and global mobility trends for stakeholders to make informed decisions.