Whether you are heading to Mexico City for three group stage matches or island-hopping between five US cities for two weeks, getting your packing right makes or breaks the experience. This checklist covers everything — documents, clothing, tech, health, and money — including what the stadiums will and won't let you bring in.
Documents: Get These Right First
A documentation failure can derail your entire trip. Sort these before anything else.
Essential Documents
- Passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates) Check expiry NOW — passport renewals are running weeks behind in many countries
- Match tickets — printed AND saved digitally offline Download the FIFA ticketing app and save tickets to your phone wallet
- Flight booking confirmations (printed + in email) Screenshot or PDF in case you have no signal at border/airport
- Hotel booking confirmation(s)
- Travel insurance policy document and emergency contact number Keep the emergency number in your phone contacts
- Passport photocopy — kept separately from your actual passport Store one copy in luggage, email one to yourself
- Visa documents if required Canada requires an eTA for many nationalities; check requirements well in advance
- US STEP registration confirmation (US citizens traveling to Mexico)
- Emergency contact card — laminated or written, in your wallet
Clothing: Pack Smart for the Climate
The World Cup runs June through July across three countries with very different climates — coastal heat in Miami, altitude cold in Mexico City evenings, Pacific cool in Vancouver. Pack layers.
Clothing Checklist
- Team jersey (or two — home and away) Wear it to every match. This is non-negotiable.
- Light long-sleeve layer for stadium air conditioning US and Canada stadiums are air-conditioned aggressively — bring a layer even in summer
- Rain jacket / packable waterproof Mexico's rainy season (June–September) means afternoon showers in CDMX and GDL. Lightweight packable jackets compress to nothing in your bag.
- Comfortable walking shoes (broken in, not new) You will walk 8–15km per match day
- One pair of sandals or casual shoes for evenings
- 3–5 t-shirts (moisture wicking if possible)
- 2 pairs of lightweight trousers / shorts
- Sunhat or cap for outdoor fan zones and daytime sightseeing
- A small crossbody or chest bag for matchday essentials Backpacks are restricted at most stadiums — see stadium rules below
- Socks x5+ (more than you think — feet take punishment on long walking days)
Altitude & Mexico City Evenings
Mexico City sits at 2,240m. Evenings can drop to 12–15°C (54–59°F) even in summer — surprisingly cold for a tropical country. Your rain jacket doubles as an evening layer.
Tech & Connectivity
Tech Checklist
- Portable phone charger / power bank (10,000–20,000mAh) Match days are 6–10 hours away from an outlet. A dead phone means no Uber, no ticket, no communication.
- Universal travel adapter Type A/B in US and Mexico; Type A/B in Canada — same as US. If multi-country, get a universal.
- Local SIM card or international data plan sorted before travel Buy a Telcel or AT&T Mexico SIM at any Oxxo for $10–20. Saves expensive roaming.
- Offline maps downloaded (Google Maps or Maps.me) Download the city maps before you land — you may have no data at the airport
- Uber, DiDi, and Lyft apps installed and payment method added
- FIFA ticketing app installed with tickets saved offline
- Translation app with Spanish downloaded offline (Mexico)
- Earphones / headphones for airports and long travel days
- Camera or keep phone storage clear — you will take hundreds of photos
Health & Wellbeing
Health Checklist
- Sunscreen (SPF 50+) UV index in Mexico and Southern US is extremely high in June–July. Reapply every 2 hours outdoors.
- Altitude medication or ibuprofen (for Mexico City) Mexico City is at 2,240m. Consult your doctor about acetazolamide if you are prone to altitude sickness.
- Oral rehydration salts (ORS sachets) Heat + altitude + long days + alcohol = dehydration. ORS packets restore electrolytes fast.
- Antidiarrheal medication Traveler's diarrhea is common on diet changes — be prepared
- Hand sanitizer Crowded stadiums and fan zones; not always soap at every sink
- Insect repellent (for Mexico outdoor venues and evenings)
- Any prescription medications — 2-week supply in original packaging with prescription
- Basic first aid: blister pads, paracetamol, antihistamine
- Water purification tablets as backup (Mexico — avoid tap water)
Money & Cards
Money Checklist
- Notify your bank(s) of travel dates and destinations before you leave
- Local currency for each country you're visiting Mexico: MXN pesos. Get from ATM on arrival, not airport exchange booth.
- Credit card with no foreign transaction fees Revolut, Charles Schwab, Wise, and most travel credit cards — check yours before going
- Secondary card stored separately (hotel safe) in case primary is lost/stolen
- Small amount of USD cash as emergency backup (accepted in tourist areas of all host countries)
- Money belt or hidden pouch for passport and backup cash
Stadium Rules: What You Can and Cannot Bring In
Every World Cup 2026 stadium enforces FIFA's standard bag and item policy. Arriving with prohibited items means either abandoning them at the gate or missing the match. Know the rules.
Allowed
- Small bag / purse (max ~20cm × 20cm × 8cm — check each stadium)
- Clear/transparent small backpack (some venues)
- Team scarves, flags, and jerseys
- Non-professional cameras (no detachable lenses)
- Smartphone
- Sealed small plastic water bottle (check venue rules)
- Prescription medication in original packaging
- Hearing aids and medical devices
- Face paint and fan accessories
Not Allowed
- Large backpacks or bags exceeding size limits
- Outside food and drinks
- Professional cameras with detachable lenses
- Tripods, selfie sticks, monopods
- Glass bottles or metal cans
- Laser pointers
- Fireworks, flares, or smoke bombs
- Umbrellas (large)
- Poles for flags over designated length
- Political banners or offensive materials
Bag Check Rule
On match days, carry only what fits in a small bag. Leave your daypack at the hotel. Stadium security checks are thorough and lines for bag inspection are long — arriving with a large bag adds significant time to entry.
Fan Accessories Worth Packing
- Team scarf — doubles as identification, warmth, and stadium photo prop
- Mini handheld flag (within allowed dimensions)
- Face paint in national colors
- Foam earplugs — stadium crowds can exceed 90dB; good for kids especially
- Small laminated country map of your host city (no signal backup)
What to Leave at Home
- Expensive jewelry or watches — leaves you vulnerable to theft in crowded areas
- Laptop — unless you are working remotely, a phone and tablet are sufficient and far easier to secure
- Large SLR camera with multiple lenses — won't get through stadium security anyway
- Your entire wardrobe — pack light; laundry services are cheap in all host cities
- Excess cash — you do not need to carry more than one day's spending money at a time
For destination-specific guidance on what to expect in each host city, see our Host Cities guide. For safety-specific tips when visiting Mexico, read our dedicated article: Safety Tips for World Cup Fans Traveling to Mexico.