FIFA World Cup 26^TM kicks off June 11, 2026.

Protect your business from fraud.
As the region prepares to welcome thousands of attendees, Visa, the official Payment Services Partner of the FIFA World Cup 26™, is helping local businesses to stay alert to fraud risks and keep loss prevention top of mind. Elevate your vigilance level and be prepared so you, your staff and your customers can feel secure all while enjoying the event.

Educate employees.
Scammers can impersonate legitimate contacts, posing as bank employees, law enforcement and family members. Protect yourself and your business by training your team to recognize and respond to retail cybersecurity threats.

By staying cautious and verifying every interaction, retail employees play a key role in preventing cybercrime. Ensure your staff consistently verifies the identity of vendors by confirming phone calls or emails through trusted contact information. Instruct your team to not respond to suspicious messages.

Check the sender’s email address or phone number. Even if it matches the sender’s name and contact information, it may be a scam. Responding to a seemingly genuine phone call, text or email can lead to a legitimate payment being incorrectly routed or your company’s identity being stolen.

Keep yourself and your business alert to impersonation scams. Just as with suspicious calls, texts and emails from strangers, never give out personal information, financial data, credential information or passwords.

If you have even the slightest concern, call using a number from your own records, or one you find on a verified website.

Unless you’re certain of an email sender’s identity, avoid the following:

• Clicking links
• Downloading PDFs
• Opening attachments

Encourage payment by credit or debit cards.
While credit cards offer more protection than cash for you and your customers, there are still some security concerns to keep in mind. To mitigate payment fraud, Visa and Commerce Bank offer encrypted transactions by using EMV chip technology on all debit and credit cards.^{footnote 1}

Chip cards are the standard, but if a chip card is swiped instead of inserted or tapped, you could be liable for any fraud tied to that sale. Contactless payments, including mobile wallets feature even stronger protections because they use encryption and generate a unique code for each transaction.

During transactions, be sure to obtain authorization. Additional ways to reduce risk are asking to see a photo ID, not overriding a decline and offering a receipt as proof of transaction.^{footnote 2} Learn more about reducing credit card processing risks opens in a new window.

Potential customers are 3X more likely to think a merchant is reputable and 2X more likely to enter an unfamiliar store when official Visa signage is displayed.^{footnote 3} Add signage on your door and near the register letting customers know that Visa is accepted and welcome.

Help your team spot counterfeit cash.
Despite the widespread use of credit and debit cards, an increase in cash transactions from international visitors is also possible. Ensure your team knows how to spot counterfeit bills, including looking for watermarks and color-shifting numerals. Learn more about identifying counterfeit bills link opens in a new window.

Rely on a knowledgeable financial partner.
Visa and Commerce Bank can help you check that your technology is current as well as compliant with federal regulations to help better protect yourself and your customers from theft and fraud. Learn more about mitigating fraud in the workplace opens in a new window.

1. ¹ Source: Visa.
2. ² Source: Commerce Bank.
3. ³ Source: Visa.

Employ tap to pay for the win.
Globally and domestically, paying with devices that access Visa cards is becoming increasingly common. Cash now represents just under one-quarter of purchases made while traveling.^{footnote 1}

With 40% of travelers experiencing some problem with cash^{footnote 1}, they often choose contactless and mobile payments to reduce concerns about the following:

• Loss or theft of cash
• Finding an ATM to make a cash withdrawal
• Managing local bills and coins correctly

Make it easy for these visitors to patronize your business by ensuring your equipment and team are prepared to process the most frequently used cashless card payments. These include credit cards, debit cards and digital wallets. Digital wallets can help increase speed and potential spend at your business as well. Enable biometric authentication and network tokenization (Visa Token Services) that offers greater security, increases authorization levels, and allows a frictionless consumer experience. If your customers have questions about accessing their digital wallet, helpful resources can be found here opens in a new window.

As a business owner, accepting contactless and mobile payments reduces the safety risk of cash transactions and increases efficiency as they eliminate daily deposits. By adopting tap to pay methods, you streamline operations and create a safer, more seamless experience that will keep visitors and locals coming back. Learn more about payment acceptance solutions opens in a new window.

Store & Forward Functionality.
If Internet connectivity goes down or is intermittent, cards can still be authorized and settled when connectivity is re-established.

1. ¹ Source: Visa.

Think outside the register.
While mobile wallets using Visa are common, businesses can expand options further by considering other cashless solutions.

QR codes make it easy for customers to order and pay without a terminal or register. To get started, simply create a payment link through your payments provider (i.e. your bank or payments app), generate a QR code and display it where it's easy for customers to scan. Customers can complete payment directly from their phones without using a payment terminal or staff assistance.

Zelle^® opens in a new window is a fast, convenient way for customers to send payments directly from their bank account to yours, typically within minutes. All they need is your enrolled email address, mobile number or your Zelle-generated QR code and they can pay you through their own banking app without using cash or cards. That means less time handling cash and faster checkouts. It’s a smart option to meet the expectations of digitally savvy fans and reduce reliance on cash or card terminals with no sensitive account details required.

Are you a Commerce Bank customer and not yet using Zelle^®? You can enroll here opens in a new window.

By offering a mix of alternative payment methods, you can improve convenience for customers while helping safeguard your business from risk.

U.S. checking or savings account required to use Zelle^®. Transactions between enrolled users typically occur in minutes. To send or receive money with a small business, both parties must be enrolled with Zelle^® directly through their financial institution’s online or mobile banking experience. To send payment requests or split payment requests to a U.S. mobile number, the mobile number must already be enrolled with Zelle^®.

Zelle^® and the Zelle^® related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used here in under license.

Keep your tech in top form.
As FIFA World Cup 26™ approaches, Visa can help you ensure your point-of-sale (POS) system is ready to handle the surge in fans and the potential sales, payment needs and inventory challenges they bring. Streamline your bookkeeping by automatically integrating business credit card transactions into the right accounting software for you. There are a variety of POS systems that can help you make sales in an efficient way, such as the Clover link opens in a new window POS system.

Upgrade technology.
Be sure your POS system is current with the latest updates and technology from Visa prior to FIFA World Cup 26™. Software updates aren’t just about adding new features. They also patch critical security vulnerabilities. Failing to update could leave your business exposed. If you have a newer system, your system may upgrade automatically or may prompt you to upgrade as needed. In the latter case, it is often just a click or a confirmation to get the latest upgrade.

Explore new devices.
Another action to consider is adding a handheld POS device. It's a modern way to handle payments while offering a familiar and effortless experience to international visitors. Handheld devices also help reduce long lines by creating quick, additional points of transaction.

Install self-checkout.
Is self-checkout right for your business? 84% of U.S. consumers now prefer self-service kiosks and 66% of consumers choose self-service over traditional staffed checkouts.footnote ¹ When faced with an increase in visitors, adding self-checkout can help ease the burden on staff and reduce the need for face-to-face interactions from international customers who may feel uneasy with socializing in a foreign language.

By keeping your POS system current and flexible, you can handle higher volumes, protect customer data and provide a seamless experience for international visitors.

1. ¹ Source: Visa.

With 40% of FIFA World Cup 26™ fans arriving from every corner of the globefootnote ¹, your business has a unique opportunity to create memorable experiences and boost your bottom line with Visa. Consider taking these actions as you prepare:

1. Break the language barrier. Use readily available translation and AI apps to create signage and aid communication.


2. Paint a clear picture. Add visual menus or signage that use universally recognized icons or photos.


3. Promote or create environmentally friendly products and practices. Many world travelers (and soccer fans) seek out eco-friendly businesses.
   • 86% of Mexican travelers will choose eco-travel options if they cost as much or less than alternative options.footnote ²
   • 71% of Brazilian travelers are keenly interested in eco-friendly options.footnote ²
   • 49% of travelers from Spain opt for eco-friendly travel.footnote ²


4. Reach out to your staff. If any of your staff have played soccer or speak a second language, they can be great ambassadors for your business. Help visitors identify and connect with them using pins or customized nametags.


5. Train staff in cultural sensitivity. Cultural norms vary. Some visitors may smile less, prefer more or less personal space or even have different sensitivities to numbers or colors. Patience and using a smartphone for on-the-spot references can turn an awkward encounter into a positive exchange.


6. Understand tipping differences. Tipping practices vary widely by country — some visitors may be unfamiliar with U.S. norms or may come from places where tipping isn’t customary. Make sure employees understand this so they aren’t caught off guard or frustrated if a customer doesn’t tip. A friendly and welcoming attitude is key to making every guest feel appreciated, whether or not they tip. Consider adding additional tip recommendations to the receipt (similar to restaurants) or post signage near the register addressing the tipping norms for your industry.


7. Be ready for international IDs. When checking identification, especially for age-restricted purchases, keep in mind that many international IDs list dates of birth in day-month-year format rather than the month-day-year format used in the U.S. Train staff to carefully check and confirm the date order to avoid mistakes or confusion.
   • Example: 05/06/2000 could mean May 6, 2000 (MM/DD/YYYY) in the U.S. or June 5, 2000 (DD/MM/YYYY) internationally.



By taking these steps, you can have a big impact on the international fans and your business.

1. ¹ Source: FIFA.
2. ² Source: Visa.

Score big during FIFA World Cup 26™ with tips from Visa.
Make the most of this global moment by engaging customers with limited-time promotions, soccer-themed merchandise or international menu items. Tie your offerings to key moments in the tournament for added impact.

Engage on social media.
Join the conversation on your social media platforms and reference relevant trending hashtags and topics throughout the event. With 65% of Gen Z expected to engage with FIFA World Cup™,footnote ² this is a prime chance to reach new and younger customers online with Visa. Consider investing in a paid ad campaign on social media channels to allow you to target an audience based on location, gender or interests. Encourage customers to share posts about your business by designing an area for selfies or offering a discount to those who post pictures of your store. Display a hashtag and your store's profile name so customers know how to tag your business when posting.

Promote in-store and out-of-home.
Post signage promoting any sales or special deals in windows and at registers. Create and pass out business cards, postcards and flyers to hotels, restaurants and fan events to get your name out there.

Integrate promotions into your digital presence.
Update your website, social media and any existing outreach channels with information about any deals, promotions or events you’ll be activating on during this event.

Create fan-focused deals.
Celebrate scores, team wins or match outcomes with special discounts or in-store events. Timely, relevant promotions can help capture attention and drive foot traffic. For example, spas, pools and gyms can offer short-term memberships or day passes. Restaurants, groceries and small food shops can offer sampler platters or tasting events.

Win customers with fan survival kits.
Sell or give away small kits with essentials like sunscreen samples, ponchos, maps, transit info, hats or branded water bottles. Include coupons or a discount code for your store inside the kit.

Offer free or easy shipping for purchases.
Make it simple for fans to shop without worrying about luggage space. Work with local shipping companies or carriers to provide discounted rates. Provide QR codes in-store with shipping instructions.

Promote mobile ordering or reservations.
High crowds mean long waits. Allow fans to reserve a table, schedule a service, or place orders online ahead of time. Include these options on your social media feed, store signage, website and on printed materials.

Watch parties and pop-up events.
Host match-day viewing parties at your location or sponsor an event at a local park. Offer a special menu and pricing during the game.

Create limited-edition products.
Create soccer-themed merchandise or menu items that are exclusively available during the tournament. For example:

• A bakery might create pastries decorated like soccer balls.
• A clothing boutique might sell a scarf featuring soccer-themed designs.

Remember your regulars. Or create new ones.
Offer exclusive discounts for residents and reward loyal customers. If you don’t have a loyalty program, now’s a great time to start. Nearly 80% of businesses see increased revenue and repeat customers from these programs. Keeping locals engaged ensures your momentum continues after the visitors are long-gone.

To get started on these ideas and other digital marketing promotions, visit our small business marketing resource page. link opens in a new window

1. ¹ Source: AllBusiness Editors.
2. ² Source: Boston Consulting Group.