U.S. Embassy Issues Travel Warning for World Cup Tourists in Mexico

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico has issued a caution for American tourists planning to attend the World Cup in Mexico. This major event, taking place from June 11 to July 19, is hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Mexico will host thirteen matches, as announced by FIFA, the international governing body.

The embassy highlighted that safety concerns in Mexico differ by region, prompting the U.S. State Department to assign a specific travel advisory to each Mexican state. Travelers heading to World Cup games are advised to consult these advisories and take necessary precautions.

Monterrey, located in Nuevo León, will host four matches at Estadio Monterrey. Another four games are slated for Estadio Guadalajara in Jalisco. Five matches will be played at Mexico City Stadium, the capital city’s venue. While Mexico City is an autonomous region and not part of any state, it still falls under the State Department’s advisory system.

Mexico’s government has announced the deployment of nearly 100,000 troops across the three host cities to ensure security.

The State Department suggests travelers in Mexico City and Nuevo León ‘exercise increased caution.’ In Mexico City, tourists should be vigilant of terrorism and crime. There are concerns about terrorism, cartels, gangs, and criminal organizations, and tourists might be crime targets. Staying in well-populated tourist areas and being extra cautious at night is recommended.

In Nuevo León, similar risks of terrorism and crime exist, with additional warnings regarding kidnapping. Highways 85/85D, 54, and 40/40D have seen armed robberies and carjackings. Travelers are advised not to use these routes after dark. Those driving from the U.S. border to Monterrey should be especially cautious in Coahuila and Tamaulipas. Tamaulipas is subject to the State Department’s ‘do not travel’ warning, the highest advisory level.

The State Department advises U.S. citizens to ‘reconsider travel’ to Jalisco due to threats of terrorism, crime, and kidnapping. Past disputes among terrorist groups and criminal organizations have jeopardized tourists in the region. In February 2026, over 70 individuals, including 25 members of the National Guard, died in Jalisco following an operation against cartel leader ‘El Mencho.’

Jalisco remains significantly impacted by Mexico’s missing persons crisis.