As 2026 World Cup planning kicks off, smooth border crossings are a goal
Legions of soccer fans will descend on the Pacific Northwest in peak summer 2026 for the men’s FIFA World Cup. It seems like a long time away, but not if you’re a transportation or travel planner.
The Pacific Northwest will host 13 World Cup matches — split between Seattle and Vancouver. The potential for monumental backups at the U.S.-Canada border as superfans ping-pong between the host cities is one factor causing a range of local figures to raise yellow flags. Event organizers have already passed the ball to the Washington Legislature and Congress with requests for assistance totaling millions of dollars.
“What are we, 597 days out? Not that we’re counting,” said April Putney, barely missing a beat to recall numbers during a late October interview. Putney is the chief strategy officer with the Seattle 2026 World Cup Local Organizing Committee.
The host committee estimates that up to 750,000 visitors will come to the Seattle area to take in the spectacle during the four-week span of games in Cascadia. About half of the crowd could be fans from abroad, based on past World Cups. Putney also noted that only about 50% of the expected influx will have secured tickets to the matches.
https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2024/11/09/as-2026-world-cup-planning-kicks-off-smooth-border-crossings-are-a-goal/
Guess since they're mostly white Trump's asshole border czar won't have a problem with them.