Arjun Menon
US to Expedite Visas for World Cup Fans
President Donald Trump announced that US embassies will prioritize visa appointments for travelers with tickets to the 2026 World Cup.
The FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System (Pass) will allow ticket holders facing long wait times to opt for a prioritized interview, Trump said at the White House on Monday.
Ticket holders for the tournament, set for next June and July in the US, Canada, and Mexico, will not be automatically granted a tourist visa, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
However, foreign nationals with tickets could secure an interview within six to eight weeks of applying, Rubio noted.
“Your ticket is not a visa; it doesn’t guarantee admission to the US. We’re doing the same vetting as anyone else. The only difference is we’re moving them up in the queue.”
The 2026 men’s World Cup will be co-hosted across North America, with most matches played in the United States.
Read also: 32 Teams Already Qualified for the 2026 World Cup
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, speaking in the Oval Office with Trump and Rubio, estimated up to 10 million visitors could come to the US to watch World Cup matches.
“With this FIFA Pass, we can ensure that those who buy a ticket, that are legitimate football fans, they can come and attend the World Cup in the best conditions, starting from getting their visa.”
Some countries whose national teams have already qualified for next year’s tournament currently face long wait times for visa appointments. In Colombia, travelers applying for US visas are currently waiting around 11 months for an interview appointment, according to data published by the US State Department.
The average wait time in Mexico City is nine and a half months, while non-Canadian citizen residents of Toronto can expect a wait of 14 months for appointments.
If those wait times hold, the World Cup will have already been played and the golden trophy already awarded by the time fans from some countries have their visas approved.
Not all travelers coming to the US next year will need a visa. Most citizens of countries under the US waiver program can ordinarily travel visa-free for up to 90 days. That scheme covers much of Europe, including the UK, along with Japan, Australia, and others.
At the two most recent World Cups, in Russia and Qatar, a ticket to a game generated a fan ID that could be used like a visa to enter the host country.