With FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches and fan festivals running from June 11 through July 19 across 16 North American host cities, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued a formal Security Awareness Message urging surface transportation operators to heighten vigilance. For ABA’s bus operator, tour operator, and travel industry members, this event represents both a significant business opportunity and an operational responsibility.
ABA is sharing this advisory to ensure you have the information you need to operate safely, serve your customers well, and stay ahead of security requirements during one of the largest sporting events ever held across North America.
The Big Picture: What TSA Is Saying
The TSA’s advisory makes clear that surface transportation will be central to World Cup mobility. Stadiums, fan zones, watch parties, and community gatherings will generate dramatically increased ridership at transit hubs across host cities, and that elevated activity creates both operational complexity and heightened security responsibility.
Importantly, TSA states it is not aware of any specific or credible threat targeting the FIFA World Cup or its associated events. That said, the agency notes ongoing concern that individuals could be motivated to violence with little warning, making proactive awareness the key line of defense.
What This Means for ABA Members
Bus & Motorcoach Operators
Whether you’re running charter service to World Cup venues, operating fan shuttles, or simply navigating routes near host cities, expect significant disruption to normal operations. The TSA advisory specifically flags road closures, restricted zones, and heavy congestion near stadiums, transit hubs, and downtown corridors with tunnels and bridges potentially impacted. Now is the time to:
- Review and update your routing plans for any markets near the 16 host cities
- Ensure drivers are briefed on alternate routes and law enforcement compliance protocols
- Increase visible security awareness at bus terminals and boarding areas serving venue corridors
- Ensure all drivers and dispatchers have current contact information for company security personnel, local law enforcement, and TSA’s Transportation Security Operations Center (TSOC) at (866) 615-5150
- Train drivers and staff on suspicious activity reporting, including what to observe along staging areas and loading zones
Tour Operators
The World Cup is a major business opportunity for tour operators offering World Cup travel packages, fan experiences, and sightseeing itineraries in host cities. But managing large groups at high-traffic venues demands intentional security planning. Consider:
- Building crowd management and security protocols into your World Cup itineraries, particularly around fan zones, watch parties, and pedestrian corridors near stadiums
- Reviewing the FEMA Mass Gatherings: Security of Soft Targets and Crowded Places resource guide as an operational planning tool
- Communicating proactively with clients about expected congestion, route changes, and security checkpoints that may affect their experience
Travel Industry Members
For travel agencies, destination management companies, and other travel industry members facilitating World Cup travel, passenger safety and situational awareness should be front and center in client communications. Specifically:
- Include security and logistics guidance in pre-trip materials for clients traveling to host cities
- Monitor travel advisories and coordinate with ground transportation partners on route and scheduling changes
- Stay informed through local fusion center alerts and TSA communications applicable to your client destinations
- Familiarize yourself with CISA’s Vehicle Ramming Action Guide and Be Air Aware resources, which address emerging threat types at large public gatherings
Cross-border operators need to prepare now
For motorcoach operators, the World Cup schedule means one thing: cross-border demand is expected to rise sharply, and preparation cannot wait until the last minute.
Border agencies 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.
What This Means for ABA Members
Across all member segments, TSA recommends the following actions during the World Cup period:
- Maintain vigilance and avoid complacency during routine operations
- Monitor geopolitical tensions, protest activity, and key transportation assets for potential disruptions
- Increase visible security presence at high-traffic transportation hubs, including bus terminals, rail stations, parking areas, and pedestrian corridors near stadiums and fan zones
- Collaborate with local fusion centers and TSA Field Intelligence Officers (FIOs) for real-time threat awareness
- Download the new TSA STRIDE Mobile App — a free app for Android and iOS that provides instant access to security resources, directives, and materials for surface transportation stakeholders
Key Resources
- TSA Transportation Security Operations Center (TSOC): (866) 615-5150
- FEMA Mass Gatherings — Security of Soft Targets and Crowded Places
If you have questions, please contact the resources above or reach out to info@buses.org.