More than 5 million travel authorizations processed, Global Entry enrollment events on six continents, a new AI-powered travel assistant, and a unified border security command — here is how U.S. Customs and Border Protection is making the 2026 FIFA World Cup the safest and most welcoming sporting event in history.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the largest and most complex sporting event in world history — 104 matches, 48 teams, 16 host cities across three countries, and millions of international visitors converging on the United States over six weeks this summer. Two of those host cities are in Texas. AT&T Stadium in Arlington hosts nine matches including a semifinal. NRG Stadium in Houston hosts group stage and knockout round games. And the agency responsible for getting every international fan safely and efficiently into the country is already well into its biggest operational deployment in history.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has been preparing for this moment for years — and the numbers reflect the scale of that preparation.
5 Million Travel Authorizations and Counting
From October 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026, CBP received over 5.9 million ESTA applications under the Visa Waiver Program, resulting in over 5 million approvals. The Electronic System for Travel Authorization — ESTA — is the digital pre-authorization that allows citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries to travel to the United States without a full visa, and processing it in advance dramatically speeds up arrival times at U.S. ports of entry.
The top five nations for ESTA approvals were the United Kingdom with over 1.2 million, followed by France with over 570,000, Germany with over 530,000, Japan with over 500,000, and the Republic of Korea with over 320,000. These numbers represent real fans, real families, and real visitors planning their trips to American host cities — including Dallas and Houston.
During the same period, CBP received over 1.6 million Trusted Traveler Program applications for Global Entry, SENTRI, and NEXUS — programs that provide expedited processing for preapproved, low-risk travelers at participating airports and land border crossings. The surge in applications reflects international travelers actively preparing for a smooth arrival experience.
Global Entry Events Around the World
To handle the anticipated surge in international visitors, CBP has been conducting Global Entry mobile enrollment events in key qualifying countries. Recent enrollment events have been held in Germany, Croatia, and Sydney, Australia, with joint NEXUS enrollment events alongside the Canada Border Services Agency in Fort Lauderdale and Seattle.
This is an extraordinary deployment of enrollment resources — CBP taking its expedited travel programs directly to the countries whose fans are most likely to attend matches in Texas and other American host cities.
Compass — CBP’s New AI Travel Assistant
CBP has launched Compass, a new interactive and secure virtual assistant for travelers attending the FIFA World Cup 2026. The tool helps international visitors navigate U.S. entry requirements, ESTA applications, Trusted Traveler Programs, and other border crossing questions in advance of their trip. For international fans unfamiliar with U.S. entry procedures, Compass provides a straightforward, accessible way to understand what documentation is needed, what items are prohibited or restricted, and how to use tools like Mobile Passport Control for a faster arrival experience.
What Fans Coming to Texas Need to Know
Whether you are an international visitor coming for the matches or a Texas resident preparing to welcome the world, CBP has published clear guidance for the tournament.
International visitors should apply for ESTA authorization well in advance through the CBP website. Those eligible for Trusted Traveler Programs — including Global Entry — should enroll before traveling to access expedited processing lanes at U.S. airports.
Upon arrival, all visitors must declare food, plants, animal products, currency and monetary instruments, and any recent farm or animal contact to CBP officers. Certain food, plant, and animal products are prohibited or restricted from entry — review the full list at cbp.gov before packing.
The Mobile Passport Control app — available free on Apple and Android — allows eligible travelers to submit passport and travel information digitally before reaching the CBP processing area, significantly reducing wait times. At major international airports serving Texas, this tool can mean the difference between a 10-minute arrival and a 45-minute wait on peak travel days.
A Unified Command Across Land, Air, and Sea
CBP is dedicated to ensuring the safety and success of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Through extensive planning and collaboration, CBP will facilitate secure cross-border movements for athletes, officials, fans, and visitors while upholding public safety. With a unified command structure, strategic resource deployment, and threat monitoring across land, air, and sea, CBP is committed and ready to secure efficient operations for World Cup events.
That unified command structure coordinates CBP operations across all Texas ports of entry — including Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston Hobby Airport, and the land border crossings of South Texas that will see increased international traffic as visitors from Mexico and Central America arrive for the tournament.
“CBP is proactively preparing for the FIFA World Cup 2026 to ensure a safe and efficient welcome for all visitors,” said Executive Director Matthew S. Davies, Admissibility and Passenger Programs, Office of Field Operations. “When travelers plan ahead and use tools like our Trusted Traveler Programs and Mobile Passport Control, it helps us uphold border security, protect U.S. communities, and deliver a seamless experience.”
For Texas Fans and International Visitors
CBP World Cup travel resources: cbp.gov/travel/cbp-welcomes-you-fifa-world-cup-2026 ESTA application: esta.cbp.dhs.gov I-94 information: i94.cbp.dhs.gov Mobile Passport Control app: Available free on the Apple App Store and Google Play Compass AI travel assistant: Available through cbp.gov Global Entry enrollment: ttp.cbp.dhs.gov Know Before You Go fact sheet: Search “CBP FIFA 2026 Fact Sheet” at cbp.gov
