2026 World Cup: Ready or Not, the Buses Are Coming

Cross-border operators need to prepare now

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be unlike any tournament the industry has seen before. It will be the first men’s World Cup to feature 48 teams, and it will be hosted across three countries—Canada, Mexico, and the United States—with matches scheduled in Toronto and Vancouver as well as multiple U.S. host cities. For motorcoach operators, that means one thing: cross-border demand is expected to rise sharply, and preparation cannot wait until next spring.

Recent guidance from Motor Coach Canada makes the message clear. Border agencies on both sides are working now to manage higher passenger volumes during the World Cup period, and operators that adopt advance-notification practices early will be in the best position to move passengers efficiently. The focus is straightforward: submit trip and passenger information in advance, keep manifests up to date, and make border processing more predictable before peak demand arrives.

For trips entering Canada, operators should pay close attention to the Advanced Bus Manifest (ABM) – FWC26 Support Measure, which MCC says will be in effect from May 19 through July 8, 2026. According to MCC, operators should provide advance notice of planned crossings as early as possible, submit updated passenger information as soon as it is available—or at least 48 hours in advance—and continue updating manifests so counts and traveler details remain accurate. MCC says the goal is to help Canadian border officials allocate resources better and support faster processing during the tournament period.

For trips entering the United States, the key tool is CBP Link. U.S. Customs and Border Protection describes CBP Link as a mobile application that allows bus operators to create and submit an advance traveler manifest. CBP’s World Cup travel hub also points travelers and carriers to official travel requirements, entry tips, and related resources designed to support smoother arrival planning ahead of FIFA 2026.

The practical takeaway for operators is simple: advance data submission is becoming a competitive advantage. The companies that build these processes into their operations now will be better equipped to manage tighter border windows, serve group leaders with confidence, and reduce the risk of avoidable delays when demand spikes. Waiting until World Cup traffic is already underway will make the transition harder for dispatch teams, drivers, and passengers alike.

This is also a moment for leadership. Cross-border service is not a side issue for the bus industry; it is a core part of how North American group travel works. The World Cup will put that reality on display. Operators who prepare early will not only protect their own service reliability but also help demonstrate that motorcoach travel can safely, efficiently, and professionally move large volumes of people across borders when it matters most.

What operators should do

Review the Canadian ABM support measure and make sure your operations team understands the submission process, timelines, and update requirements. For U.S.-bound service, familiarize staff with CBP Link and the related advance manifest workflow. Just as important, begin training dispatch and trip-planning teams now so advance border notification becomes part of standard operating procedure—not a last-minute exception.

The good news is that the tools already exist. What matters now is adoption. Operators that act early, submit accurate information, and build disciplined cross-border routines will be best positioned to meet World Cup demand and deliver dependable service that passengers and partners will remember long after the tournament ends.