Bringing children to Canada for the 2026 World Cup

Families heading to the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches in Canada must make sure everyone, especially children, has the right travel documents. Adults often concentrate on their own entry needs, but minors have specific rules that are easy to miss. Typically, each child travelling to Canada requires their own passport and travel authorization, plus a consent letter if they're not with both parents.

Do children need an eTA or visitor visa?

Yes, everyone, no matter their age, needs their own valid travel document to enter Canada. This applies to infants and children too. Most visitors will need either an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or a visitor visa, also called a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).

What type of authorization a child needs depends on their nationality and how they plan to arrive.

Children from visa-exempt countries (like the UK, Australia, or many European nations) flying into Canada will need an eTA. This authorization links electronically to their passport and costs CAD $7. It's usually good for up to five years, or until the child's passport runs out, whichever comes first. You can find more details on applying in our guide: How to apply for a Canada eTA in 2026.

Children from countries that are not visa-exempt (such as India, Nigeria, and