Heading to a World Cup Game? Leave African Swine Fever Behind

The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is on! With games scheduled from June 11-July 19 in 16 cities across North America, many people will be traveling into the United States and to neighboring host countries, Mexico and Canada, to catch a match.

While organizers work to ensure a safe and fun tournament, it’s important for travelers to know that certain food products are not allowed.

Protecting the United States from African Swine Fever

If you’re traveling into the United States, it’s important to remember: Don’t Pack Pork! African swine fever (ASF)—a highly contagious and deadly disease that infects wild and domestic pigs—has been detected in more than 70 countries worldwide, including the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Because the virus can survive in both cooked and uncooked pork products, travelers are prohibited from shipping and/or carrying them into the United States.

This restriction helps us defend our home turf from ASF. While not a threat to human health, people can unknowingly spread ASF through contaminated items such as clothing, shoes, and cooked and uncooked pork products.

Be a World Class Defender

Add these simple steps to your travel “game” plan this summer to prevent the spread of ASF:

• Don't pack pork — Packing pork products (cooked or uncooked) is an automatic red card! Items like pernil, pork dumplings, or prosciutto could carry ASF and are prohibited from traveling into the United States or between the U.S. mainland, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• Know before you go — People can spread ASF through contact with infected pigs. If you visit any facility with pigs, make sure to wash your hands, and disinfect your clothing and shoes afterwards.
• Five-day delay — If you’ve interacted with wild or domestic pigs while traveling, take a timeout! Wait at least five days before visiting U.S. farms.
• Prepare to declare — Declaring all food, animal products and agricultural products to U.S. inspectors at the airport helps protect our home field from ASF.

The U.S has never had a case of ASF, and we want to keep it that way! If traveling internationally to watch France’s Les Bleus, England’s Three Lions, or our own “Yanks,” follow these precautions to ensure the only thing “spreading” is your love of the game.

Learn more about ASF and how to prevent its spread: www.aphis.usda.gov/traveling-with-ag-products/asf

And good luck to our U.S. men’s national team!