President Donald Trump has announced that US embassies will give priority to visa applicants holding tickets for the 2026 World Cup. The new FIFA Prioritized Appointment Scheduling System (Pass) is designed to help ticket holders with long waits secure interviews faster.
The system allows travelers with tickets to request a faster appointment through FIFA. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that having a ticket does not automatically guarantee a visa. All applicants will undergo the usual vetting procedures.
Rubio explained that ticket holders could receive an embassy or consulate interview within six to eight weeks of applying, significantly reducing the current waiting times in some countries.
Implications for international fans
The 2026 World Cup will be hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with the majority of matches in the US. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the tournament could attract up to 10 million visitors. He highlighted that the Pass system will help legitimate football fans attend the World Cup under improved conditions, starting with easier access to visas.
Currently, visa appointment wait times vary widely. In Colombia, applicants face roughly an 11-month wait, while in Mexico City it is about nine and a half months. Residents of Toronto who are not Canadian citizens may wait as long as 14 months for a US visa interview. Without a prioritization system, fans in some countries could receive visas long after the tournament concludes.
The initiative has received praise from the US Travel Association. CEO Geoff Freeman described the process as a practical solution that maintains security while reducing wait times and improving capacity to host millions of visitors.
Visa restrictions and exemptions
The new rules do not override existing travel bans. Earlier this year, Trump issued an order restricting nationals from 12 countries from entering the US, citing security concerns. Iran, which has qualified for the World Cup, is among these countries.
While the executive order exempts athletes and coaching staff for events like the World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, fans from banned countries may still face restrictions.
Not all visitors to the US will need a visa. Citizens of countries in the US visa waiver program, including much of Europe, Japan, and Australia, can enter without a visa for up to 90 days.
At previous World Cups in Russia and Qatar, tickets came with a fan ID that allowed entry to the host country. The FIFA Pass system represents a similar effort to facilitate travel for football fans while preserving standard security checks.