Travelling to the 2026 World Cup? Your Complete Travel Health Guide for USA, Canada and Mexico

United States — travel health advice

The USA is hosting the majority of World Cup matches across eleven cities: New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami, Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Kansas City, Houston, and Atlanta. No vaccinations are required for entry under the UK Visa Waiver Program (ESTA).

TravelHealthPro recommends the following for travellers to the USA:

• Tetanus, diphtheria, and polio — Ensure routine boosters are current. This is the primary recommendation for all travellers to the USA.
• Hepatitis A — Worth considering for large public events with street food and food trucks. Hep A spreads through contaminated food and water. A single dose protects for up to a year.
• MMR / MMRV — Two doses recommended. The UK switched to MMRV (adding chickenpox cover) on 1 January 2026. With UK two-dose coverage at 84.4% and measles circulating at large gatherings, being unvaccinated at a packed stadium or airport is a genuine risk.
• Hepatitis B — Advisable if you may need medical treatment abroad or for longer stays.

There is no malaria risk in the continental USA. No antimalarials are needed. Dengue is present in Florida, Hawaii, Texas, and California — use insect repellent with DEET at outdoor events in these states.

Travel insurance is essential. The UK GHIC is not valid in the USA. A single night in a US hospital can cost upwards of £5,000; a serious emergency can exceed £100,000. Purchase comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation cover before you board.

UK nationals must hold a valid ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization, $21 USD) before boarding. Apply only through the official US government website. Summer heat in Dallas, Houston, Miami, and Atlanta can be extreme — stay hydrated and use high-factor sunscreen at outdoor events.

Canada — travel health advice

Canada is hosting World Cup matches in Toronto (Ontario) and Vancouver (British Columbia). No vaccinations are required for entry, and the health profile is similar to the UK.

• Tetanus, diphtheria, and polio— Ensure routine boosters are current. TravelHealthPro's primary recommendation for Canada.
• MMR / MMRV — Two doses recommended. Canada lost its own measles elimination status in November 2025 after more than 5,000 cases in 2025. Unvaccinated fans at shared venues face a genuine exposure risk.

There is no malaria risk in Toronto or Vancouver. Tap water is safe throughout Canada. June and July in Vancouver are mild; Toronto can be warm and humid.

UK nationals require an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization, CAD $7) for entry to Canada. Apply before booking flights. The UK GHIC is not valid in Canada — ensure your travel insurance includes medical cover.

Mexico — travel health advice

Mexico is co-hosting matches at three venues: Estadio Azteca (Mexico City), Estadio Akron (Guadalajara), and Estadio BBVA (Monterrey). Mexico requires more preparation than its co-hosts.

TravelHealthPro recommends the following for all travellers to Mexico:

• Hepatitis A — Strongly recommended. Present throughout Mexico including tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants.
• Typhoid — Recommended for all travellers, especially those eating street food. Available as an injection (ViATIM, which also covers Hepatitis A) or oral capsules (Vivotif).
• Tetanus, diphtheria, and polio — Ensure routine boosters are current.
• Hepatitis B — Advised for longer stays or if medical treatment is possible.

Malaria and the World Cup venues: All three host cities — Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey — have a very low malaria risk. TravelHealthPro recommends awareness and bite avoidance but does not recommend antimalarials for these venues. Antimalarials are only needed if you extend your trip to rural or coastal states such as Oaxaca, Chiapas, or Sinaloa. Tell your pharmacist your full itinerary.

Food and water: Tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in Mexico. Use bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth. Avoid ice unless confirmed from a sealed source. Pack oral rehydration sachets and loperamide.

Altitude: Mexico City sits at 2,250m above sea level. Allow a day to acclimatise; some visitors experience mild headaches on arrival. Guadalajara (1,566m) and Monterrey (538m) are lower. Summer temperatures in Monterrey can exceed 40°C.

Insect repellent with DEET is recommended throughout Mexico to reduce risk of dengue fever, chikungunya, and Zika — all spread by day-biting mosquitoes present even in urban areas.

Advice that applies to all three host nations

• Book vaccinations now. The tournament starts 11 June 2026. Hepatitis A and Typhoid work from a single dose given right up to the day of departure. Same-day appointments are available at Medway Pharmacy until 10pm.
• Travel insurance is non-negotiable. GHIC is not valid outside the EU. All three host nations have significant private healthcare costs. Ensure your policy covers the full trip duration, all activities, and any pre-existing conditions.
• Carry medications in original packagingwith a pharmacist's letter if they are controlled drugs or injectables.
• Check FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice before departure — updated in real time for each country.

Book a travel health appointment at Medway Pharmacy — 465 Canterbury Street, Gillingham, ME7 5LJ. Open 7:30am–10pm, 7 days a week. Call 01634 575805.