Foreign Ministry has issued travel recommendations for Mexico during the World Cup, but none for the US or Canada

Eduardo González The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued specific travel recommendations for Mexico in relation to the upcoming FIFA World Cup, but, conversely, has not issued any "specific travel restrictions" for the United States or Canada, the other three countries that will host the sporting event between June 11 and July 5. Mexico will host matches in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. The Spanish national team's first two matches (against Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia) will be played on June 15 and 21, respectively, in Atlanta, USA, and the third match, against Uruguay, will take place in Guadalajara, Mexico, on June 26 (2:00 AM on June 27 in Spain). King Felipe VI is expected to attend this match at the invitation of the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, and the FIFA President, Gianni Infantino. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued specific travel recommendations for Mexico during the World Cup. These recommendations remind travelers, for example, that Spanish citizens do not need a visa to enter Mexico as tourists, that the maximum authorized stay is 180 days, that the authorized stay should not be exceeded “under any circumstances,” and that immigration violations “may result in detention at an immigration station and expulsion from the country.” The recommendations also pay special attention to security, advising travelers to “exercise extreme caution during their stay in Mexico” and adopt various codes of conduct, such as “not displaying wealth, jewelry, valuable watches, or expensive electronics in public spaces,” carrying “only the strictly necessary cash,” keeping documents, cards, and money in separate pockets or wallets, and depositing original documents and valuables in the hotel safe. In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends always carrying valuables in hand luggage when traveling by plane within Mexico, using only ride-hailing apps (Uber, DiDi, Cabify) or pre-arranged taxis from your hotel, avoiding hailing taxis on the street, not driving at night in non-tourist areas or on secondary roads, and avoiding ATMs in isolated locations, preferring those located inside banks or shopping malls. It is also recommended to monitor food and drinks at all times in nightclubs and bars, moderate alcohol consumption, and avoid the use of any narcotic substance, "possession of which is a crime in Mexico, punishable by lengthy prison sentences." Tickets to matches should be kept in a safe place and purchased exclusively through official FIFA channels, being wary of resale sites. "In the event of an earthquake alert or other natural disaster, carefully follow the instructions of Civil Protection and other local authorities," the Ministry adds. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also reminds travelers, among other things, that “consuming alcohol in public, urinating in the street, or using drugs are administrative or criminal offenses that can result in fines or arrest,” and that Spaniards entering the country as tourists “may not participate in demonstrations or other activities of a political nature.” Furthermore, the Ministry warns that “there is no social security agreement between Spain and Mexico,” and therefore, “Spanish Social Security benefits do not apply in Mexico under any circumstances, meaning that all expenses related to hospitalization, medical evacuation, or the repatriation of remains are the sole responsibility of the individual.” “Traveling without health insurance entails assuming a very high financial risk,” it adds. As in other situations, the Ministry reminds travelers that, in case of emergency (accident, robbery, arrest, serious illness), Spanish citizens have the right to receive consular assistance and recommends that, in the event of any arrest, they identify themselves as Spanish citizens and “expressly request that the competent Spanish Consulate General be notified.” “Mexican authorities are obligated to communicate this without delay,” it adds. Regarding the other two co-organizing countries, the Foreign Ministry simply states that “there are no specific travel restrictions” to the United States and Canada, although, in the case of the former, it warns that “remaining in the United States beyond the period of time authorized by U.S. authorities in each case is a violation of the country’s immigration laws and may have serious consequences, such as being barred from returning to the United States or being detained and/or deported.”

Related Content

The Pope defends before the Spanish Parliament the “diplomatic courage” in favor of peace and a “rigorous ethical vigilance” of artificial intelligence

Antón Leis moves from AECID Director to UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner for Operations

Spain condemns the breakdown of the ceasefire in the Middle East and calls for “immediate de-escalation”

The Spanish contingent in Latvia is strengthening its training against the drone threat.

Foreign Ministry and UIMP will organize the fourth edition of the course "Spain in the World" from July 20 to 24 in Santander