Fake World Cup offers are misleading visitors about work and visas in Canada
Scammers and rogue agents are misrepresenting work-permit exemptions and selling visa help for the 2026 World Cup, increasing the risk of travellers entering Canada under false pretences.
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By Torontoer Staff
Social media posts and tour offers are falsely promising that visitors to Canada can work without permits during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Agents are advertising visa assistance, cover letters and bundled packages that claim to secure both Canadian entry and sought-after match tickets.
Canada will co-host the tournament with Mexico and the United States from June 11 to July 19, 2026, with Toronto and Vancouver among the host cities. Officials expect about one million visitors, creating demand that some opportunists are exploiting.
How rules are being misrepresented
A temporary policy announced in November exempts certain FIFA-invited foreign nationals from work-authority requirements, but that exemption is narrow. It applies only to people with official invitation letters from FIFA who are employees of FIFA or its affiliates and subcontractors. Some agents abroad are altering or truncating the policy text and presenting it as a broad waiver for fans.
People have started doctoring their social media profiles to show they are very avid soccer followers, posting about Ronaldo and Messi or Arsenal, flooding their feeds with those images.
Kubeir Kamal, Toronto immigration consultant
Kamal says those working the market are coaching applicants on how to appear as genuine fans, drafting volunteer or spectator cover letters and even promising invitation letters. Some offers include high-fee packages that combine a claimed visa route with match access, while others advertise that payment is only required after visa approval.
Where misleading offers are appearing
False or misleading claims are circulating on TikTok, Instagram, Reddit and Facebook, often in multiple languages including Arabic, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu. Posts originate from a range of countries where demand to travel is high, including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nigeria and parts of the Middle East.
- Tour packages that promise a Canadian visa and match tickets for a fixed fee
- Coaching services offering tailored cover letters and volunteer application help
- Claims of FIFA invitation letters provided after payment or guaranteed visa approval
- Social media accounts prepopulated with football content to bolster an applicant’s profile
Government response and risks for travellers
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada says it monitors misinformation and runs public advisories, including a dedicated FIFA information page. The department warns that tickets or volunteering offers do not guarantee a visa and that visitors must comply with the conditions of their stay.
Around major global events such as the FIFA World Cup, misleading and fraudulent claims about visa processing can circulate online. Canada is committed to supporting a safe and successful FIFA World Cup while safeguarding the integrity of its immigration system.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Canadian officials stress that World Cup events are not an avenue to seek asylum and that people who overstay or misrepresent their intentions could face enforcement action. Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana Myriam Montrat has used local media to warn viewers about scam offers targeting prospective visitors.
Third-party organisations will try to pretend that they can make it easier, faster or guarantee that there will be a visa. That is simply not true.
Myriam Montrat, Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana
Practical steps for prospective visitors
Prospective travellers should rely on official sources, verify any claimed FIFA invitation and treat guarantees of visas with scepticism. Immigration officials say they are deploying dedicated teams and digital tools to manage the expected surge of applications, but applicants still need to meet normal requirements.
- Check the Government of Canada website and the official FIFA information page for up-to-date guidance
- Confirm any exemption by reviewing the terms of the FIFA invitation and the applicant’s role
- Avoid paying large sums to organisations that promise guaranteed visas or provide documents after payment
- Prepare and document sufficient funds, travel plans and ties to home to satisfy visa officers
- Apply early to allow time for processing and to avoid last-minute pressure
Stakeholders say stricter verification of finances and documentation for spectators from visa-required countries would reduce abuse. Immigration consultants warn against informal routes that may leave travellers vulnerable to fraud or enforcement consequences.
As Canada prepares to welcome fans, authorities and legitimate service providers urge caution. Prospective visitors should verify claims, use official channels and avoid offers that sound too certain to be true.
World Cup 2026immigrationtravelfraudFIFA
