The 2026 FIFA World Cup will soon be underway across 16 host cities in the US, Canada, and Mexico. But a match ticket covers only the cost of entry. What happens before kickoff, or when something goes wrong, is another matter entirely.
An estimated six million attendees are expected across all three host countries, with more than 1.2 million international visitors traveling to the US alone. For many, the total trip cost will exceed $5,000 per person once flights, hotels, match tickets, and other expenses are added up.
The scale of this tournament has no real precedent in the insurance industry. More than 100,000 security personnel will be deployed across three countries.
One specialty program administrator put it plainly: the event is “the equivalent of 80 simultaneous events happening at one time.”
Brokers whose clients have any involvement in the tournament, from hospitality to logistics to ticketing, should confirm that existing policies cover international exposures and event-specific risks.
Many domestic travelers underestimate how much they have at risk at a major event. When a client has thousands of dollars tied to non-refundable tickets, hotel bookings, and flights, one unexpected illness or canceled flight can wipe out the entire investment.
Brokers should walk clients through four coverage areas.
Trip cancellation reimburses prepaid, non-refundable costs if a covered reason forces cancellation before departure. Trip interruption covers the cost of an early return and reimburses unused prepaid expenses. Travel delay coverage handles meals, accommodations, and rebooking costs. Baggage loss or theft coverage replaces essential items if luggage goes missing in a busy host city.
The coverage gap conversation is not just one for clients. Senior industry executives have argued that the standard travel insurance formula, built around emergency medical, trip cancelation, and lost luggage, was designed for a world where major disruptions were rare.
The past five years have shown how much that has changed. Brokers who can explain exactly where a policy ends and a gap begins are better positioned to add real value.
For visitors coming from outside the US, healthcare costs are the biggest exposure. Most domestic health policies from other countries provide little or no coverage in the US.
A summer tournament brings additional risk: extreme heat, dehydration, and heatstroke can turn a manageable situation into a medical emergency quickly.
A routine emergency room visit in the US costs nearly $3,000 on average. Treatment for a heart attack can average more than $21,000. Brokers advising international clients should recommend a policy with at least $100,000 in emergency medical coverage.
Chrissy Valdez, senior director of operations at travel insurance marketplace Squaremouth, said domestic trips often fall through the cracks when clients review their needs.
“Many Americans often overlook purchasing travel insurance for domestic trips,” she said. “However, when you have thousands of dollars invested in a specific date, the situation changes. A single flight cancellation or an unexpected illness can jeopardize your entire investment.”
The World Cup runs through mid-July across host cities including New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Miami.
