World Cup 2030 will be one of the biggest sporting events ever held: 48 teams, 104 matches, three countries and millions of travelling fans. For the vast majority, it will be a joyful, safe experience — but a tournament on this scale brings real risks, from pickpockets and ticket scams to heat, dehydration and crowd crushes. The fans who enjoy it most are the ones who plan for safety the way they plan for the football. This guide covers the practical steps that keep you safe in stadiums, fan zones and host cities.

In the stadium: crowds, heat and exits

Stadiums at a World Cup are crowded, loud and hot, and the first rule is to know your seat, your entrance and your exit before you sit down. Arrive early, because the security checks take time and the queues build up, and keep your ticket and ID together — you will need both at the gate. Once inside, note the nearest exit and the nearest steward, and stay in your assigned seat rather than drifting into gangways.

Heat is the biggest health risk at this tournament. Daytime matches in Seville, Marrakech and other southern cities will be played in serious heat, so carry water, wear a hat and sunscreen, and use the shade wherever you can. If you feel dizzy, nauseous or confused, tell a steward immediately — heatstroke is a medical emergency, and stadium medical teams are trained for it. Never leave a friend who is unwell to sleep it off.

In the fan zones and the city: pickpockets and scams

Fan zones and city centres are where most World Cup crime happens, and it is almost always petty: pickpockets in crowds, bag snatchers on the metro, and the ticket scammers who work every host city. Keep your bag in front of you, your phone in a zipped pocket, and your valuables in a money belt or an inner pocket. On the metro and in crowded squares, be especially alert — that is where pickpockets operate.

The ticket scam is the most expensive crime at any World Cup. Fake tickets, stolen tickets and tickets that never arrive are sold on the street, on social media and on unofficial websites, and the victims lose hundreds of euros and miss the match. The only safe source is FIFA.com. Never buy a ticket from a stranger, never pay by bank transfer, and never believe a story about a spare ticket at a bargain price.

At night: transport, alcohol and looking out for each other

Nights at a World Cup are wonderful and risky in equal measure. The celebrations run late, the bars are full, and the streets are crowded — and that is when fans get lost, get robbed or get into trouble. Agree a meeting point with your group before you go out, keep your phone charged, and make sure at least one person in your group is sober enough to navigate home. Use licensed taxis or ride-hailing apps, never unmarked cars.

Alcohol is part of the celebration for many fans, but it is also the biggest single cause of World Cup trouble. Drink water between drinks, eat before you drink, and know your limits — a fan who is drunk is a fan who is vulnerable. In Morocco, alcohol is available in hotels and licensed restaurants but not on the street, and public drunkenness is not tolerated. Respect local laws and customs, and you will be respected in return.

Health, documents and emergencies

Before you travel, check that your travel insurance covers medical expenses in all three host countries, and carry your policy number and your embassy's contact details with you. Keep a photocopy of your passport on your phone and the original in your hotel safe. Tell someone at home your itinerary, and check in with them regularly — if something goes wrong, they need to know where you are.

In an emergency, the number is 112 in Spain and Portugal and 19 for police in Morocco, with 15 for ambulance. Learn those numbers before you travel, and save your hotel's address and phone number in your phone. The vast majority of fans will never need them — but the ones who do are glad they planned ahead. A safe World Cup is a happy World Cup, and safety starts with you.

World Cup 2030 will be safe for the fans who plan for it: know your stadium, guard your valuables, buy tickets only from FIFA, look out for your friends, and respect the cities you visit. Do that, and the tournament will be the trip of a lifetime.