U.S. Issues Strong Travel Alert on Mexico Hours Before the 2026 World Cup

U.S. Updates Travel Alert for Mexico

Jalisco Under Special Warning

World Cup 2026 Under Watch

Just hours before the opening of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Estadio Ciudad de México, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued a travel alert message for those planning to visit the country.

Why it matters: The diplomatic mission reminded travelers that Mexico maintains a nationwide Level 2 travel advisory, which means visitors should exercise increased caution during their stay.

The Embassy explained that security risks vary depending on the region.

“Security risks vary greatly by region, which is why we assign travel advisory levels for each Mexican state,” it said in a message shared on social media on June 9.

Mexico Travel Alert Before the 2026 World Cup

Mexico is a popular vacation destination, but security risks vary greatly by region, which is why we assign travel advisory levels for each Mexican state, from Level 1 — exercise normal precautions — to Level 4 — do not travel. If you got tickets for a… pic.twitter.com/yQR7UxzOZB

— Embajada de EE.UU. en México (@USEmbassyMEX) June 9, 2026

Along with the message, the Embassy published a map showing the different warning levels assigned to each Mexican state.

States identified in red correspond to the highest alert level.

In those cases, the official recommendation is not to travel, according to Infobae.

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This category includes Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas.

Meanwhile, states classified in orange carry a recommendation to reconsider travel.

This group includes Baja California, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Morelos, and Sonora.

The Embassy also noted that Mexico’s Level 2 alert is related to risks associated with terrorism, crime, and kidnapping.

This Is How Mexico’s World Cup Host Cities Are Classified

The U.S. Embassy reiterated the travel alert for those attending the World Cup in Mexico: for Mexico City and Monterrey, it urged caution; for Guadalajara, the label is “reconsider travel.” #EnPunto with @Enrique_Acevedo | #DecideInformado | Follow it on… pic.twitter.com/qJ4C66kzVs

— NMás (@nmas) June 10, 2026

Mexico will host World Cup 2026 matches in three entities: Mexico City, Nuevo León, and Jalisco.

Mexico City and Nuevo León appear in yellow on the map shared by U.S. authorities.

This classification corresponds to a Level 2 advisory, meaning travelers should exercise increased caution.

Jalisco, however, appears in orange.

The recommendation for this state is to reconsider travel.

The map also shows that Yucatán and Campeche are the only states identified in blue.

In these states, the US Embassy recommends only practicing routine preventive measures.

Also included in the exercise increased caution category are Baja California Sur, Coahuila, Durango, Hidalgo, the State of Mexico, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Puebla, Querétaro, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosí, Tabasco, Tlaxcala, and Veracruz.

US Recognizes Limits on Assistance

The Embassy also released a series of recommendations for US citizens traveling to Mexico.

According to the report, violent crimes such as homicides, kidnappings, vehicle thefts, sexual assaults, and robberies occur in the country.

“There is a risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other terrorist activity,” the document states.

US authorities also acknowledged that they have limited ability to provide assistance in several regions of Mexican territory.

They also reminded travelers that US government employees are prohibited from traveling to certain areas considered high risk.

The recommendation for US travelers is to follow the same restrictions applied to government personnel.

The Embassy warned that some rural or remote areas may lack emergency services or have limited resources.

It also indicated that, if travelers encounter road checkpoints, they should follow the authorities’ instructions.

“When approaching any checkpoint, cooperate. Avoid any behavior that appears aggressive. Fleeing may raise suspicion and provoke violence,” the message states.

Additional recommendations include a reminder that possession and importation of drugs is illegal.

Bringing electronic cigarettes or vaping devices into the country is also prohibited.

Likewise, bringing weapons, fireworks, and explosives into the country is banned.