US President Donald Trump has announced that US embassies will give visa appointment priority to travellers with tickets to the 2026 World Cup.
The FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System (Pass) will “allow World Cup ticket-holders with long wait times to opt with Fifa for a prioritised 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, said Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
US embassies to fast-track visa interviews for World Cup fans with tickets: How the system works
Foreign nationals with tickets to World Cup football matches could get an interview at an embassy or consulate within six to eight weeks of applying, Rubio said.
“Your ticket is not a visa; it doesn’t guarantee admission to the US,” Rubio said, also at the White House on Monday. “We’re going to do the same vetting as anybody else would get. The only difference here is we’re moving them up in the queue.”
The 2026 men’s World Cup will be co-hosted across North America, with Mexico and Canada, with most matches played in the United States.
Speaking in the Oval Office with Trump and Rubio, Fifa President Gianni Infantino said up to 10 million visitors could come to the US to watch World Cup matches.
“With this Fifa Pass, we can make sure that those who buy a ticket, that are legitimate football fans or soccer fans, they can come and attend the World Cup in the best conditions, starting from getting their visa,” he said.
Wait times in different countries
Several countries whose national teams have secured qualification for next year’s tournament face lengthy wait times for visa appointments.
In Colombia, people applying for US visas are currently experiencing wait times of approximately 11 months for an interview appointment, according to data published by the US State Department, the agency responsible for processing visa applications.
The average wait time in Mexico City stands at nine and half months, while non-Canadian citizen residents of Toronto face a wait of 14 months for appointments.
If these wait times continue, the World Cup will have concluded and the trophy will have been awarded by the time supporters from certain countries receive visa approval or denial.
The US Travel Association, a tourism industry trade group, welcomed Monday’s announcement. “The expedited process for Fifa ticket-holders adds needed efficiency without sacrificing security,” the organisation’s CEO Geoff Freeman said in a statement.
“This is the kind of practical action that strengthens security, increases capacity and cuts wait times, putting the U.S. on stronger footing to welcome millions of visitors next year.”
Uncertainty over banned nations
Whether the new appointment rules will apply to ticket-holders from countries whose citizens face full or partial bans from travelling to the US remains unclear.
In June, Trump signed an executive order prohibiting nationals from 12 countries from entering the US, citing efforts to manage security threats.
Iran, whose football team has secured qualification for the World Cup, is included among the countries affected by the ban.
The June executive order provides exemptions for athletes and coaching staff travelling for the World Cup and 2028 Olympics, though supporters could still be subject to the ban.
Exemptions from visa requirements
Not all people travelling to the US next year will require a visa. Most citizens of countries participating in the US waiver programme can normally travel visa-free for up to 90 days. The scheme includes much of Europe, including the UK, along with Japan, Australia and other nations.
At the two previous World Cups, held in Russia and Qatar, a ticket to a match generated a fan ID that functioned like a visa for entering the host country.
“This will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase the beauty and the greatness of America. And we can’t wait to welcome soccer fans from all over the globe,” Trump said.
Documentation requirements for visitors
Foreign travellers intending to visit the United States for the FIFA World Cup 26 must ensure they possess the correct travel documents.
All visitors travelling to the United States must hold passports that remain valid for six months beyond their intended stay in the United States, unless they hold citizenship of an exempt country.
Canadian and Bermudan passport holders do not need any additional authorisation to seek entry into the United States as tourists.
Foreign visitors from any of the 42 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program can apply through the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA).
Supporters from all other countries must hold a valid U.S. visitor visa (B1/B2) to travel to the United States for the FIFA World Cup 26.
The Department of State has stated it remains committed to protecting the nation and its citizens โ as well as all teams and supporters participating in FIFA World Cup 26 events โ by maintaining standards of national security and public safety through its visa process.
