Mexico is co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup — a historic first for the country — and millions of American fans are expected to attend matches in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. Before booking, there’s updated federal guidance worth reading carefully.
Mexico is no stranger to hosting the world’s attention. The country is set to make football history as the first nation to host matches in three separate FIFA World Cups, with Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey serving as the three host venues for 2026. For American fans making the trip south of the border, the excitement is real — and so is the need for preparation.
The US State Department reissued its Mexico travel advisory on May 29 with World Cup-specific guidance, maintaining a Level 2 warning — “Exercise Increased Caution” — citing concerns about terrorism, crime, and kidnapping. The overall country-level rating remains unchanged, but the updated advisory now addresses the specific circumstances of travelling to a major international sporting event in Mexico.
The safety picture varies considerably by location. Six Mexican states carry Level 4 “Do Not Travel” designations: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas. None of those states are hosting World Cup matches. Mexico City and Monterrey’s state of Nuevo León are both at Level 2.
Guadalajara’s state of Jalisco carries a Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” rating, with elevated risks from cartels, gangs, and criminal organisations — incidents involving innocent bystanders have been documented, and US citizens and permanent residents have been kidnapped there. That said, the city’s official event areas are considered comparatively safer, and Mexico’s government has deployed nearly 100,000 troops to guarantee security across the three host cities.
For practical purposes, the State Department’s guidance for all three venues is consistent: avoid travelling between cities after dark; use app-based ride services such as Uber or Cabify rather than flagging taxis in the street; avoid travelling alone, particularly in unfamiliar areas; and comply with any security checkpoints rather than attempting to avoid them. The advisory also specifically recommends against driving between Mexican border cities and the interior.
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) — a free resource available to US citizens travelling abroad — allows the US Embassy to provide security updates and make contact in the event of an emergency. Enrollment takes minutes and is strongly recommended for anyone attending matches. Travel insurance that covers medical evacuation and trip cancellation is also advised, given the unpredictability of large-scale international events.
The World Cup is a genuinely extraordinary reason to visit Mexico. The country’s host cities offer remarkable food, architecture, and culture well beyond the stadium experience — Mexico City in particular rewards exploration at every level. Going in with clear eyes about the security landscape, rather than ignoring it or being paralysed by it, is simply the price of travelling intelligently. The State Department’s full advisory, including state-by-state guidance, is available at travel.state.gov.
Amanda O’Brien is the creator and editor of The Boutique Adventurer. She has visited 80 countries and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers as well as the IFTWTA. She is passionate about wine had has just completed Level 3 of the WSET. Born in Australia, she lives in London.