…Most categories require a visitor visa which costs approx. N99,277 (CAD$100)
…Visas can be granted for single or multiple entries with validity 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 organized by FIFA along with the United States (US) and Mexico for the first time. This is the first men's World Cup since 2002 to be co-hosted by more than one country.
With Canada hosting a portion of the tournament, the Government of Canada has issued guidelines for fans, players, media and broadcast personnel, officials and other staff planning to attend matches.
The matches will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, in 16 host cities, with eleven matches taking place in the United States, three in Mexico and two in Canada. In Canada, the two are City of 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 can 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.
Since there is no special FIFA World Cup visa, travelers are strongly advised to apply 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 require.
Also read: 'No special FIFA visa' for 2026 World Cup – Canada warns fans
fan
Supporters traveling to Canada to attend matches will enter as tourists. Depending on citizenship and travel plans, they may require either a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (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 require a work permit to participate in the tournament. However, they may still require a visitor visa or eTA depending on their nationality.
Media and broadcast personnel
Media and broadcast personnel do not require a work permit, but a visitor visa, to enter Canada for FIFA World Cup-related activities. Those formally invited by FIFA must follow the instructions set out in their invitation letter and ensure this is clearly indicated in their application.
Applicants who have not been directly invited by FIFA are advised to state in their visitor visa application that their travel is related to the FIFA World Cup, to help immigration officials accurately assess the purpose of their visit.
Also read: Canada's new bill will provide discretionary control over visa processing, temporary residence status
FIFA invited workers
Persons formally invited by FIFA to work at official events organized by FIFA do not require a work permit. Proof of invitation is required, and travelers may still require a visitor visa or ETA.
other workers
Those who are not invited by FIFA but intend to work at World Cup-related events may require a work permit.
Applicants may need to find out if they need an employer-specific work permit or an open work permit here
Requirements depend on the nature of the work, and early application is advised.
Volunteer invited by FIFA
Volunteers officially invited by FIFA do not require a work permit. As with other categories, a visitor visa or eTA may still be required depending on citizenship and mode of travel.
Canadian officials have urged all visitors associated with the FIFA World Cup 26 to carefully check the requirements and apply in advance to avoid missing the tournament.
Entry Requirements for Canada Visitor Visa for FIFA World Cup 26
The entry requirements for those categories requiring a visitor visa are as follows:
You need:
To be eligible for entry into Canada, applicants must meet several conditions. Firstly, they must have a valid travel document like a passport and be in good health. They must also not have any criminal or immigration-related convictions.
In addition, applicants must be able to satisfy the immigration officer that they have strong ties to their home country, for example 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 duration of the trip and whether the 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
