FIFA World Cup 26™
Level 1 - Practise health precautions (more details)
Original publication date: December 22, 2025
Updated: December 29, 2025
Key points
- Expect large crowds; this can increase your risk of illness and injury.
- Reduce health risks by practising good hand hygiene, avoiding contact with sick people, and eating/drinking safely.
- Know where to access medical care and carry emergency contact information, including details for Canadian offices abroad.
- If you feel sick during or after travel, wear a mask, limit contact with others, and notify health professionals about your symptoms and travel history.
Current situation
- The FIFA World Cup 26™ will be held from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across 16 cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
- For information about matches held in Canada and for visitors coming to Canada, visit Canada welcomes the FIFA World Cup 26™.
FIFA World Cup 26™
Mass gatherings (large-scale events)
Recommendations
Before you leave
Talk to a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic preferably about 6 weeks before your departure date to get personalized health advice. Even if your travel date is coming up soon, it’s still worthwhile to make an appointment.
Discuss with the health care provider:
- whether your routine vaccinations are up-to-date. Many require a booster as an adult
- which pre-travel vaccines or medications may be right for you
- the medications you're currently taking or planning to bring with you
Review the Travel Advice and Advisories page and travel health notices for your destination.
Mexico travel advice
United States travel advice
Travel health notices
Pack a travel health kit and consider purchasing travel insurance.
Travel health kit
Travel insurance
Sign up with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to stay connected with the Government of Canada in case of an emergency abroad or an emergency at home.
Learn more:
During your trip
Be prepared for emergencies
- The risk of accidental injury increases in large crowds (e.g., stampedes).
- If possible, avoid very crowded areas.
- Know where to find medical care if needed.
- Carry information about any existing medical conditions.
The Government of Canada’s offices abroad can assist Canadian citizens in case of an emergency. Carry the contact information for the nearest Canadian office. The Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa is open 24/7.
Emergency Watch and Response Centre
Embassy of Canada to Mexico, in Mexico City
Embassy of Canada to the United States, in Washington D.C.
Clean your hands regularly
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
Clean your hands to help reduce the spread of infectious diseases
Practise food and water precautions
The most common illnesses in travellers are caused by eating food, drinking beverages, or ingesting water that is contaminated with bacteria, parasites or viruses.
Protect yourself from person-to-person infections
You can reduce your risk of getting or spreading respiratory infections by:
- staying away from others if you’re sick
- wearing a well-fitted mask, especially if you're not feeling well
- covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow, not your hands
Respiratory infectious diseases: How to reduce the spread with personal protective measures
Protect yourself from insect bites
Many diseases are spread by the bites of mosquitoes, ticks, fleas and flies. You can reduce your risk by:
- using an approved bug spray (insect repellent) on exposed skin
- wearing light-coloured, loose clothing made of tightly woven materials like nylon or polyester
Insect bite and pest prevention
Personal insect repellents
Follow sun and heat safety tips
- Take breaks in shaded or air-conditioned spaces, where possible
- Make sure to stay hydrated and eat regularly
- Be aware of the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke
Sun and heat safety tips for travellers
Learn more:
Tips for healthy travel
If you become sick or injured while travelling outside Canada or after your return
Returning to Canada
If you begin to feel sick during your travel back to Canada, you should:
- put on a well-fitting respirator or mask, if possible
- limit contact with other people, if possible
- inform the flight attendant and/or a border services officer as soon as possible. You may be referred to a quarantine officer for a health assessment and further direction
If you begin to feel sick after you return to Canada, you should:
- limit contact with other people
- call a health care provider and notify them about your symptoms before an in-person appointment, so they can take proper precautions, if necessary
- tell the health care provider where you have travelled
Learn more:
If you become sick or injured while travelling outside Canada or after your return
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