FIFA travel insurance: What’s the score?

Brokers are advising soccer afficionados travelling to see the World Cup that there may be reduced or no coverage for trip cancellations or interruption due to fuel shortages.

Plus, additional medical coverage may be advisable for trips to see games either inside or outside of Canada.  

The backdrop

The world’s largest sporting event is almost here. More than 5 million travellers are expected to attend FIFA World Cup 2026 matches across North America. For hardcore fans, that means at least some travel between June 11 and July 19, and maybe a lot of it.

The first of 104 games kicks off in in Mexico City June 11. The inaugural World Cup match on Canadian soil happens the very next day. For Canadians traveling cross country or into other countries, getting the right insurance coverage is a must.

Assessing current conditions

“Manulife has now listed fuel shortages as a known event,” says Matt Hands, vice president of Insurance at Ratehub Inc. For policies purchased as of May 5, 2026, benefits related to flight cancellation or interruption, including post-departure interruption, will no longer apply.

Of course, premium policies are still available through Manulife and other carriers. Although more expensive, brokers can offer extended coverages subject to individual policy terms and conditions, limitations, and exclusions.

Fuel shortages aside, the Government of Canada has also issued a Level 1 travel health notice for all World Cup events. Separate advisories are in place for Mexican destinations, too.

General safety considerations range from pickpocketing and purse theft to crowd stampedes that can result in trampling. Exposure to measles and other contagions when in proximity to spectators from countries with travel health notices may also pose a risk.

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Dealing with domestic bliss

Under the Canada Health Act, each provincial or territorial public health plan does extend across the country. However, it is important to remind clients that not all services are covered.

A recent Ratehub Inc. survey found 75% of its 200 respondents do not purchase travel insurance for domestic trips. Hands suspects people may simply feel comfortable traveling within Canada but notes incidents can still arise.

Canadians travelling domestically need to review their travel health insurance needs. Any gaps in layered coverage — public, employer, and potential credit card coverages, for example – can then be effectively supplemented.

Setting sights stateside

For anyone planning to attend one of the 78 matches in the United States for even a single day, the Government of Canada recommends both trip interruption and travel health insurance.

“The key consideration to me,” says Hands, “is that your provincial [health care] coverage is no longer in effect.” Clients should be reminded medical conditions that exist or arise will have to paid out of pocket. Without insurance, those costs, especially stateside, will be incredibly high.

Clients planning to visit locations close to the Mexican border are also advised to pay attention to more frequent criminal activity. From a World Cup perspective, that may apply to people attending games in Houston, Dallas, or the San Francisco Bay area who add more southern locations into extended travel plans.

Moving into Mexico

In Mexico, Canadians should exercise a high degree of caution overall due to high levels of criminal activity and kidnapping. All non-essential travel within the Nuevo León region should also be avoided due to high levels of violence and organized crime – with the city of Monterrey, a FIFA World Cup match location, the sole exception.

Hands says although medical costs are not as high in Mexico, extra protection should still be considered. As an extended courtesy, brokers can also provide clients with information on consular offices in destination cities and the opportunity to register for the Government of Canada’s free Registration of Canadians Abroad service.

“Brokers are truly the specialists when it comes to coverages and understanding and explaining the wording and nuances in the policies each company has to offer,” says Hands. His final advice for travelers: “Don’t be afraid to make a phone call to the policy experts.”