Moroccans Already in the US Won’t Need a Visa to Support Atlas Lions in Mexico

Marrakech – Morocco’s Embassy in Mexico has issued a set of guidelines for Moroccan supporters planning to travel to Monterrey for the Atlas Lions’ Round of 32 match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The game is scheduled for Monday, June 29, at Monterrey’s stadium in the Mexican state of Nuevo León.

Mexico is no unfamiliar destination for Moroccan football. In 1986, Morocco became the first African team in history to reach the knockout stage of a World Cup, on Mexican soil.

That run ended in Monterrey, where a Lothar Matthäus free kick in the 87th minute knocked them out against West Germany. Forty years later, the Atlas Lions return to the same city for another knockout match.

The embassy confirmed in a statement posted on social media that Moroccan nationals are, in principle, required to obtain a visa to enter Mexico. However, supporters already in the United States with a valid American visa are exempt from that requirement.

The same exemption applies to holders of valid visas issued by Canada, the United Kingdom, or any Schengen-area country. Holders of permanent residency in any of those countries or zones are also cleared to enter Mexico without a separate visa.

For all other travelers, the visa obligation remains in place. The embassy urged supporters to verify their status before heading to Monterrey to avoid refusal of boarding or entry at the Mexican border.

Beyond the visa question, the embassy outlined a series of practical recommendations. Travelers must ensure their passports are valid for at least six months from the date of travel. They should book accommodation and transportation well in advance due to the heavy demand expected around the match. Match tickets should only be purchased through official platforms.

The embassy also advised supporters to keep physical and digital copies of their identity documents and to avoid carrying medications not prescribed by a doctor. It called on all travelers to comply with Mexican laws and follow all instructions issued by local authorities. The use of unlicensed transportation was specifically discouraged.

For any assistance, the embassy provided four contact numbers: +52 55 5245 1786, +52 55 5245 1791, +52 55 6169 3849, and +52 55 6495 6198. It also listed two email addresses: [email protected] and [email protected].

Morocco secured their place in the knockout round after beating Haiti 4-2 on Wednesday, June 24, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Haiti took a surprise early lead through an own goal by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Captain Achraf Hakimi equalized before Wilson Isidor restored Haiti’s advantage with a strike from the edge of the box.

Ismael Saibari leveled again three minutes later. Soufiane Rahimi then put Morocco ahead with 12 minutes remaining, and Gessime Yassine sealed the result after a lengthy VAR review. Morocco finished second in Group C behind Brazil.

Their most likely opponents in Monterrey are the Netherlands, who top Group F.

Meanwhile, Royal Air Maroc announced a special flight program of 12 direct flights between Casablanca and Monterrey, offering over 3,000 seats. Six outbound flights are scheduled between Saturday and Monday, with six return flights between Tuesday and Thursday.

The airline set a fixed round-trip price of MAD 10,000 in economy class. Tickets are non-changeable and non-refundable. Sales opened on June 25 at 6:00 p.m. through Royal Air Maroc’s commercial agencies in Morocco. Each flight is estimated at approximately 11 hours.