Help offered for football fans having travel issues to the FIFA World Cup

June 11, 2026
Travel

There are some fans who have had their Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) status rejected in recent days by the Department of Homeland Security.

Douglas Alexander said his officials are in contact with No 10, the Home Office, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to resolve the issues.

The US has confirmed that there is no change in travel requirements due to the World Cup and there are a number of reasons why travel may have been revoked.

There is a page on the UK Government website here with information for people travelling to the World Cup.

The Foreign Office has been in contact with US authorities to ensure that there are systems in place to get passengers from Scotland through immigration and passport controls more quickly if possible. There is a page with details of how to make a US visa appointment, (although this was intended for interviews before the World Cup began).

Mr Alexander said:”As soon as this issue became apparent last Monday I spoke to the Minister for North America, and we have initiated work across government to ensure we are doing everything we can to help. I have also spoken to the British Ambassador to the United States today, who is in touch with the US authorities. Of course, visa and entry requirements are a matter for the United States, but I can assure fans that I am making representations on behalf of those affected to ensure their cases are resolved as quickly as possible.

“Thousands of members of the Tartan Army have gone through the US visa system successfully, but we will continue to work with the US authorities to help resolve this issue as quickly as possible. After 28 long years, it’s understandable why so many Scotland fans want to be able to cheer on Steve Clarke’s squad in person.”

Fans who are affected or concerned about their travel status are advised to check the FCDO’s dedicated World Cup travel advice pages, which direct users to specific information on US entry requirements, passport validity, visa requirements and ESTAs.