The Immigration Conversation | Presented by Fragomen

Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster and Senior Manager Sergio Flores share insights on Canada’s entry requirements for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and key considerations for individuals traveling to matches in Toronto and Vancouver.
Entry requirements will vary depending on nationality, with some travelers able to enter as visa-exempt visitors and others required to obtain a visa in advance. This distinction is particularly important given processing times for certain visa-required nationals, making early planning essential.
The discussion outlines how entry rules apply across different traveler groups. Fans may enter Canada as visitors, though holding match tickets does not guarantee entry or visa approval. For visa-exempt nationals, electronic travel authorization requirements will depend on the method of travel, including whether individuals are entering by air or land. US nationals are not required to obtain an eTA.
Athletes and team personnel, including coaches, managers and staff, may enter as visitors without requiring work authorization. Media and broadcast personnel are generally work permit exempt, subject to the appropriate visitor visa or eTA requirements based on nationality and travel method.
FIFA-related volunteers and support personnel may also be work permit exempt where they have received a formal invitation from FIFA to perform tournament-related functions or support event preparation. Individuals must include the relevant FIFA documentation with their application or present it upon entry. Those without a formal invitation may require work authorization, depending on their role and activities.
There is no dedicated FIFA visa for Canada, and all travelers will be assessed under standard immigration rules. Early planning, complete documentation and advance review of any potential admissibility issues will be important for individuals and organizations preparing for the tournament.
Fragomen continues to support organizations, teams and individuals navigating Canadian immigration requirements as preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup progress.

Football is one of the world’s most global sports, relying on the ability to move players, coaches and support staff quickly and compliantly across borders. Behind every transfer, tournament and training camp is an immigration framework that can either enable movement — or create unexpected barriers.
In Fragomen FC – Episode 14, Partners Gustavo Kanashiro and Rick Lamanna, Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster and Senior Manager Sergio Flores examine how immigration systems across the Americas shape football mobility throughout South America and beyond.
The conversation explores:
How differing immigration regimes across North, Central and South America impact player movement and staffing decisions
Visa strategy and work authorization considerations for professional players, technical staff and club personnel
Compliance risks associated with short-term travel, tournaments and multi-country competitions
The operational realities clubs and organizations face when planning transfers, tours and regional competitions
Why early planning and coordinated mobility strategies are essential to keeping football operations moving
This episode offers practical insights for clubs, federations and organizations navigating cross-border movement in one of the world’s most dynamic sporting environments.

In this episode of Space for Everyone: Women in Space – Breaking Barriers, Shaping the Future, Director Limbani Laxmi is joined by Maritime Launch Services Vice President, Spaceport Operations (Secondment) Melissa Quinn, Space Skills Alliance Director and Co-Founder Heidi Thiemann and Capgemini Invent Director Lucy Mason to explore how women are contributing to the growth and future of the global space sector while navigating structural, cultural and policy-driven barriers.
The discussion examines how immigration frameworks, workforce mobility, access to opportunity and skills development influence women’s participation and leadership across aerospace, space exploration and related STEM industries. The speakers share insights on progress to date, persistent challenges and what employers, policymakers and industry leaders can do to support a more inclusive and sustainable space workforce.