Temporary public policy to exempt certain FIFA-invited applicants attending the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup from the biometrics collection requirement

Background / Public Policy Considerations

In partnership with Mexico and the United States, Canada will co-host the FIFA 2026 Men’s World Cup, staging 13 matches from June 11 to July 19. Ahead of the tournament, Vancouver will host the FIFA Congress in April, with participating delegates from up to 211 member associations.

Canada expects up to one million visitors (mostly fans), with approximately 7,000 of those travellers to be considered “FIFA-invited applicants.” To be considered a FIFA-invited applicant, a person must hold an official FIFA Letter of Invitation. These individuals are critical to the success of the 2026 Men’s World Cup.

FIFA also intends to invite diplomats and government officials, travelling on a diplomatic or official passports.

Hosting the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup is expected to generate an estimate $3.8 billion in economic output for Canada, including $2 billion to Canadian gross domestic product, and the creation or preservation of 24,000 jobs across the country.

This temporary public policy recognizes the significant national interest of co-hosting the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026, and seeks to safely simplify processing for FIFA delegates and invitees.

As such, I hereby establish that, pursuant to my authority under section 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (the Act), there are sufficient public policy considerations that justify the granting of an exemption from certain requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (the Regulations), to foreign nationals who meet the conditions (eligibility requirements) listed below.

Conditions (eligibility requirements) - applicable to certain foreign nationals applying for a temporary resident visa with the specific purpose of participating in a FIFA 2026 event or related activity:

Based on the public policy considerations, delegated officers may grant an exemption from the provisions of the Regulations listed below if the following condition are met:

1. The foreign national:
   1. has applied for a temporary resident visa to enter Canada between the dates of November 25, 2025 and July 20, 2026;
   2. holds a letter of invitation from FIFA; and
   3. is not associated with adverse information held or received by IRCC which may result in an inadmissibility finding under section 34, 35, 35.1, 36(1), or 37, of the Act, or section 42 of the Act when the family member’s inadmissibility is under section 34, 35, 35.1, 36(1), or 37 of the Act.

   or

2. The foreign national:
   1. has applied for a temporary resident visa to enter Canada between the dates of November 25, 2025 and July 20, 2026;
   2. holds a diplomatic or official passport;
   3. holds a letter of invitation from FIFA; and
   4. is not associated with adverse information held or received by IRCC which may result in an inadmissibility finding under sections 34, 35, 35.1, 36(1), or 37 of the Act, or section 42 of the Act when the family member’s inadmissibility is under section 34, 35, 35.1, 36(1), or 37 of the Act.

Provisions of the Regulations for which an exemption may be granted:

• The requirement under paragraph 12.1(d) of the Regulations to provide biometrics in support an application for a temporary resident visa.

Start date and End date

This temporary public policy will come into effect on November 25, 2025, and will apply to new applications and those pending on that date. This temporary public policy will expire on July 20, 2026 and may be revoked at any time, without prior notice.