With only one month to go, the FIFA World Cup 2026 set to draw millions of fans to North America, one of the most pressing concerns for ticket holders requiring a United States visa is how to navigate the application process in time.
FIFA has introduced a system – the FIFA PASS – designed to ease that process for eligible fans.
Here is the ultimate guide explaining everything you need to know about the FIFA PASS system.
What is the FIFA PASS?
The FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (PASS) is a voluntary, opt-in scheme introduced by FIFA for ticket holders travelling to the United States for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Its sole purpose is to give eligible fans the opportunity to obtain a visa interview on a priority basis, cutting through the delays that standard appointment queues can present.
However, it is not a visa. It is not a guarantee of entry. It is a mechanism that connects a fan’s ticket data with the US visa system to unlock access to a dedicated appointment slot.
Who needs the FIFA PASS – and who does not?
The FIFA PASS is intended for a specific group of fans. Before assuming it applies to you, it is worth understanding who falls outside its scope.
You do not need the FIFA PASS if you meet any of the following conditions: you are a national of one of the 42 countries in the US Visa Waiver Programme and are eligible for ESTA; your country currently has open US visa interview appointments available through standard channels; or you already hold a valid, unexpired US visa.
If any of the above applies to you, FIFA’s guidance is to apply for your ESTA or visa now, directly at the US Department of State’s FIFA World Cup 2026 page, without using the FIFA PASS at all.
The FIFA PASS is for fans who need a US visa, face limited appointment availability in their country, and have purchased their tickets through an eligible channel.
Who is eligible for the FIFA PASS?
Eligibility for the FIFA PASS comes down to one factor: where the ticket was purchased. The FIFA PASS is only available to fans who bought their tickets through FIFA.com/tickets or through On Location. Tickets obtained through any other source do not qualify.
Step-by-Step: How to apply for the FIFA PASS
The process involves several stages, each of which must be completed in the correct order and with details that match precisely across all systems.
Step 1: Log in and opt in
The ticket holder must log in to their FIFA.com account and complete the FIFA PASS opt-in form. The name and passport number entered in this form must match exactly what appears in the passport – no variations, abbreviations, or discrepancies of any kind.
Step 2: Save your key
Upon completing the opt-in form, a confirmation page will appear. At the top of this page is a key. This key must be saved immediately, as it is central to the entire process, particularly for fans who have purchased more than one ticket.
Step 3: Share the key with guests (if applicable)
If you have purchased more than one ticket and your guests also require support with a priority visa appointment, you must share the key with each of them.
Each guest will then need to create a FIFA ID using their full name exactly as it appears in their passport, and opt in to the FIFA PASS using your key. The key can only be used for the number of tickets purchased – it cannot be used beyond that limit.
Step 4: Begin the US visa application
With the FIFA PASS opt-in complete, the ticket holder should visit the website and select their country of nationality or the country where they will be applying. From there, they must complete the DS-160 visa application form.
Step 5: Ensure your details match
This step is non-negotiable. The name and passport number on the DS-160 form must match exactly what was submitted in the FIFA PASS opt-in form. Any mismatch will break the link between the two systems and may result in the loss of priority access.
Step 6: Schedule, pay, and upload
The applicant must then schedule their visa interview appointment, upload a photograph that meets current requirements, and pay the visa application fee, which reportedly costs $185.
Step 7: Identify yourself as a FIFA ticket holder
During the application process, if asked whether you are a FIFA ticket holder, you must answer “yes.” This triggers the system to cross-reference your information with FIFA’s ticketholder data.
Step 8: Confirm priority access
If the information in the US visa system matches FIFA’s data, the applicant will be granted access to a FIFA PASS priority appointment. This is the benefit the entire process is designed to deliver.
Step 9: Attend your interview
Attend the visa interview and answer all questions truthfully. The FIFA PASS secures the appointment – the outcome of the interview depends entirely on the applicant’s eligibility for a US visa.
Before you travel: What every fan needs
Regardless of whether you are travelling by air, sea, or land to Canada, Mexico, or the United States, two documents are non-negotiable: a valid, unexpired passport, and either a valid visa, a travel authorisation – such as an eTA for Canada or an ESTA for the United States – or a recognised visa exemption where applicable.
FIFA recommends ensuring your passport remains valid for at least one year beyond your planned return date.
Travelling to Canada
To enter Canada, most travellers will need either a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), depending on their nationality and how they are travelling.
A visitor visa is an official document placed directly into your passport, confirming you meet Canada’s entry requirements. An eTA applies to visa-exempt nationals travelling to Canada by air only. It is electronically linked to the passport used during the application and must be obtained exclusively through the official Government of Canada website.
Regarding minors, Canada defines anyone under the age of 18 as a minor. Minors must meet the same entry requirements as any other visitor. The documents required depend on whether the child is travelling alone or with someone.
Travelling to Mexico
Mexico offers entry without a visitor visa for travellers engaged in non-remunerated activities – such as tourism, transit, business, or short-term study – for stays of up to 180 days, provided they meet one of the following conditions: they hold a passport from one of Mexico’s approved nationality list countries; they are permanent residents of Canada, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, a Schengen Area country, or a Pacific Alliance member state; or they hold a valid multiple-entry visa from Canada, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, or a Schengen Area country.
Travellers who do not qualify under any of the above must apply for a visitor visa through a Mexican consular office.
Nationals of Ukraine, Turkey, and Russia travelling to Mexico by air have a separate route available: they may apply for a single-entry Electronic Travel Authorisation, known as the SAE, for stays of up to 180 days, through Mexico’s National Immigration Institute.
On the matter of minors, Mexico defines individuals under the age of 18 as minors. Those travelling under parental authority or guardianship must carry documentation – granted before a notary public or competent authority – authorising them to leave Mexico.
Travelling to the United States: ESTA or B1/B2 Visa
All fans attending the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the United States must first determine what documents they need to cross the border. In most cases, this will be a valid passport alongside either an approved ESTA or a B1/B2 visa.
Nationals of 42 countries participating in the US Visa Waiver Programme are eligible to apply for ESTA. For most, the ESTA permits stays of up to 90 days in the United States within a one-year period, and remains valid for two years in total, or until the passport expires – whichever comes first. Fans are strongly cautioned not to overstay the 90-day limit, as doing so carries penalties that may affect future travel to the United States.
There are also restrictions for individuals who hold a second passport or who have travelled to certain countries, so the ESTA qualifications should be reviewed carefully before applying.
What happens if your ESTA is denied?
If you applied for ESTA and it was refused, you will need to apply for a B1 (tourism/business) visa. In that case, you may then use the FIFA PASS process outlined above to seek a priority interview appointment, provided you are an eligible ticket holder.
There are several points that fans must keep in mind throughout this process.
A FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket does not guarantee a visa, nor does it guarantee admission to the United States. US Customs and Border Protection officers at ports of entry retain full authority to permit or deny admission, regardless of whether a visa has been issued.
FIFA recommends applying as early as possible, given processing times. It also recommends ensuring that your passport will not expire until well after your planned travel – the guidance is to have at least one year of validity remaining after your trip.
For further assistance, fans can visit the website or FIFA’s own FAQs.
