Soccer fans gather outside Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on Wednesday on the eve of the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup between Mexico and South Africa. Photo by Mario Guzman/EPA
June 10 (UPI) — The U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued a travel advisory for American citizens who plan to attend soccer matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, warning of security risks, mobility restrictions and significant differences in risk levels among Mexican states.
The diplomatic mission urged travelers to review current advisories for each Mexican state before traveling and reminded them that Mexico includes states classified from Level 1 (“exercise normal precautions”) to Level 4 (“do not travel”).
“If you scored tickets for a FIFA World Cup 2026 match in Mexico, check the latest travel advisory level and risk information before you travel,” the embassy said in a message released this week.
Although the Mexican government has announced deployment of nearly 100,000 security personnel to protect the World Cup host cities of Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey, international travel advisories remain in place because of cartel-related violence and organized crime, which vary by state.
The State Department maintains a Level 2 advisory for Mexico, recommending travelers “exercise increased caution” because of risks related to terrorism, crime and kidnapping.
However, the agency noted that specific areas of the country remain under Levels 3 and 4, the highest risk categories.
According to the advisory, violent crimes including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, sexual assault and robbery occur in Mexico.
The U.S. government also said there is a risk of terrorist violence and reminded travelers that consular assistance may be limited in certain regions.
U.S. authorities recommended that citizens follow the same restrictions that apply to U.S. government personnel stationed in Mexico.
Those measures include avoiding intercity travel at night, using only regulated transportation services or ride-hailing applications such as Uber and Cabify, avoiding solo travel in remote areas and refraining from driving between border cities and the country’s interior except in specific circumstances.
The advisory also says that emergency services may be limited or unavailable in rural and remote areas.
In addition, it advises travelers to cooperate with highway checkpoints and roadblocks, warning that ignoring instructions or attempting to flee could result in violent situations.
The State Department recommended that travelers enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, obtain travel insurance and review security conditions in the states they plan to visit during the tournament.