Over six million football fans are heading to Mexico and the US this month as the World Cup 2026 gets underway. Not only will people be travelling for the highly anticipated sporting event, but Mexico is a popular holiday destination for Brits each year.
World Cup 2026 in Mexico
In Mexico, matches will be hosted in Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey, but other cities and popular tourist destinations across the country are expected to be busier than usual during the tournament. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued travel advice for tourists heading out to Mexico this summer, warning travellers of protests.
Protests in Mexico City
The FCDO is warning UK visitors of protests taking place in Mexico City that are causing disruption as areas have been closed off. Protests organised by workers' unions have taken place since the beginning of June, causing sporadic disruption to traffic, including temporarily closing arterial roads such as Paseo de la Reforma, Periférico Sur and Circuito Interior, as well as briefly blocking access to the airport (AICM).
Whilst generally peaceful, some of the protests have led to clashes with police as well as an increased security presence within affected areas.
FCDO Warnings
The Foreign Office has warned British travellers that: "It is illegal for foreign nationals to participate in political activities in Mexico. If you join demonstrations, the Mexican authorities may detain and deport you. If you come across protests, move away from the area. Monitor local media to understand possible disruption to your travel and plan extra time for your journeys."
Areas to Avoid
There are also many areas of Mexico that the Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to, including:
- Tijuana
- Tecate in Baja California, including roads between Tijuana and Tecate
- Chihuahua
- Sinaloa
- Tamaulipas
- Zacatecas
- Guanajuato
- South-west of road 45D
- Michoacán
- Jalisco: Areas south and south-west of Lake Chapala to the border with the state of Colima
- Bolaños, Chimaltitán, Colotlán, Hostotipaquillo, Huejúcar, Huequilla el Alto, Mezquitic, San Martin de Bolaños, Santa Maria de los Ángeles, Totatiche, Villa Guerrero
- Colima
- Guerrero
- Chiapas: Within 40km of the Guatemalan border between the Pacific Coast up to and including the border crossing at Gracias a Dios
- Federal Highway 199 (Carretera Federal 199) between Rancho Nuevo (just outside San Cristobal de las Casas) and the Chancalá junction just outside Palenque (where Federal Highway 199 meets Federal Highway 307)
Within each area there are exceptions. For all travel advice to Mexico, read the FCDO website.
