Travelling to see Scotland in the World Cup? Here's what you need to know on visas, passports, fees

Although Scotland’s schedule has not been announced yet, many in the Tartan Army will already be considering a trip to see their heroes take to the pitch.

The World Cup is being hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, and Scotland could end up playing anywhere in these three countries.

Here is what you need to know about travelling to the World Cup.

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USA

Passport

Your passport must be valid for the entire trip. Those with dual US citizenship must travel on their US passport.

You should always carry your passport when in the US.

Visas

You will need an electronic system for travel authorisation (ESTA) to enter the US. This can be done online at the US Customs and Border Protection website and will be valid for up to 90 days of travel.

There is a $40 [£30] fee. You cannot apply for one if you have been arrested (even if this did not lead to a criminal conviction), have a criminal record, have previously been refused entry into or been deported from the US, or have overstayed a previous visa.

You cannot apply for an ESTA if you have been to Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen after March 2011, or Cuba after January 2021.

However, if you do not have a UK passport, you may need to get a visa instead by visiting the US Embassy in London. An appointment can be arranged online at the US Embassy and Consulates in the UK website.

Those applying for an F, M or J non-immigrant visa must adjust the privacy settings on all their social media accounts to ‘public’ under US law.

Visas are suspended or limited to nationals with passports from Afghanistan, Burma, Burundi, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela and Yemen.

The Foreign Office says those whose sex on their passport is different from their sex at birth should contact the US Embassy for further advice on travel.

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Children

Those under the age of 18 need an ESTA or a visa.

They also need a letter of consent in English notarised by at least one parent if they are travelling alone, travelling with only one parent, or travelling with someone who is not their legal guardian.

READ MORE: Scotland World Cup 2026 travel: How to fly to the US, Canada and Mexico from Scottish airports

The Foreign Office warns that if the US authorities stop a child without this letter, the child could be placed into US care and their return to the UK “could take months”.

Terrorism

The Foreign Office says terrorism in the US is “very likely”, including at “sporting events” or “mass gatherings”. It also warns that crime linked to illegal drugs is a “major issue” in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas.

Healthcare

Health risks include the Zika and West Nile viruses, and there is a risk of altitude sickness in some places.

There is no special healthcare arrangement for British visitors, so you may be asked to pay a deposit up front if you are admitted to hospital. UK prescriptions are not valid in the US.

What else?

If you want to drive, you can use your UK photocard driving licence. Some may need a 1949 international driving permit, which cannot be bought outside of the UK. Those with paper driving licences will need an additional form of photo ID such as their passport.

Mexico

Where can you not travel?

There are several states where the Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel, and warns it may not be able to help UK citizens if they are in these areas.

This includes:

• Tijuana, unless transiting through the airport, cross-border Xpress bridge or toll road;
• Tecate in Baja California, including the road between Tijuana and Tecate (this does not affect the Baja California Sur state);
• Chihuahua state, except the city of Chihuahua, the Ciudad Juárez border crossing, toll road, Copper Canyon rail route, the route between Creel and San Pedro via San Juanito, and state highway 16;
• Sinaloa state, except the cities of Los Mochis and Mazatlán, road 32 between El Fuere and Los Mochis, the 15D toll road, and Copper Canyon rail route;
• Tamaulipas state except the border crossing at Nuevo Laredo, federal highways 80, 81 and 85, and the entire area of Tamaulipas south;
• Zacatecas state;
• Guanajuato state except the areas south-west of road 45D;
• Michoacan, except the city of Morelia, toll roads 15D, 126, 43, and 48D between Morelia and General Francisco Mujica Airport, Patzcuaro and the islands on Lake Patzcuaro;
• Jalisco state except areas south and southwest of Lake Chapala;
• Northern municipalities of Bolaños, Chimaltitán, Colotlán, Hostotipaquillo, Huejúcar, Huejuquilla El Alto, Mezquitic, San Martin de Bolaños, Santa Maria de los Ángeles, Totatiche, Villa Guerrero;
• Colima state, except city of Manzanillo;
• Guerrero state, except town of Zijuantanejo/Ixtapa;
• Chiapas state.

Passports

Passports must be valid for the whole trip, but the Mexican Embassy recommends having at least 180 days of validity.

Visas

You do not need a visa, but British nationals will be asked to fill in an immigration form online if entering by land.

Children

Those travelling with a child may be asked to show evidence of their relationship, for example a birth certificate. Children with dual Mexican nationality travelling without a legal guardian must apply for a permit to leave Mexico.

You need to pay an entry tax to visit Quintana Roo, which can be done online or at Cancún Airport, and you may need to pay a departure tax when leaving. Some airlines include this tax in the cost of the ticket.

Healthcare

Zika virus is a risk in Mexico, as well as altitude sickness, air pollution and methanol poisoning. Tourists are encouraged not to have ice in their drinks and only drink bottled or boiled water.

Some travellers have had cyclospora, a food and water bug. Those travelling to Mexico should consider getting vaccines for hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid, Chikungunya, dengue and rabies.

Terrorism

Terrorism cannot be ruled out. However, political demonstrations can be potentially violent. It is illegal for foreign nationals to join political protests.

Kidnapping is also common.

What else?

Vapes are illegal in Mexico and same-sex relationships are tolerated rather than accepted.

Sharks and crocodiles can be a risk.

You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Mexico.

Canada

Passports

Passports must be valid for the entire trip.

Visas

You will need an electronic travel authorisation, which can be applied for online. This is not needed if you are arriving by land or sea, or are a British-Canadian dual citizen with a valid Canadian passport.

Terrorism

The Foreign Office says terrorism is “likely” in Canada.

Healthcare

There are no special healthcare arrangements for British citizens, and even those with dual citizenship may still have to pay.