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The United States has launched a priority visa appointment system for international fans holding tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in a move aimed at easing entry bottlenecks ahead of the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026.
The scheme, formally known as the FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System and informally referred to by US officials as the “FIFA Pass”, allows confirmed ticket holders to request earlier visa interview slots at US embassies and consulates. The BBC and Reuters both reported that the programme went live this week following months of coordination between the US State Department, the Department of Homeland Security, and FIFA.
The 2026 tournament will be the largest World Cup in history, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches. The US alone will host 78 games across 11 cities, including the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has said organisers expect between five and ten million international visitors to travel across North America during the competition.
Independent tourism forecasts highlight that millions of foreign fans are likely to arrive at North American airports, with some industry estimates suggesting as many as 6 million supporters could transit through major hubs en route to matches and other events. These figures reflect both the expanded 48-team format and the global popularity of football, making the 2026 World Cup potentially the most attendedin history.
US President Donald Trump said the administration had been working “tirelessly” to ensure that fans could be processed efficiently while maintaining strict security controls. A senior State Department official confirmed that the new system is designed to reduce long visa backlogs, noting that applicants in more than 80 per cent of countries can now secure appointments within 60 days.
However, US authorities have stressed that the FIFA Pass does not guarantee visa approval. All applicants must still meet standard eligibility requirements and pass security and background checks. “America’s safety and the security of our borders will always come first,” the official said.
The new system is particularly relevant for citizens of countries where US visa appointment wait times are typically long. It also addresses concerns that fans from qualifying nations could miss the tournament simply because interview slots are unavailable in time.
The announcement comes amid wider immigration restrictions. Earlier this month, the Trump administration introduced a pause on the processing of immigrant visas from 75 countries. The State Department has clarified that the suspension applies only to immigrant visas and does not affect non-immigrant tourist visas, including those for World Cup travel.
Separately, the administration expanded a travel ban affecting several countries. Haiti and Iran, both qualified for the tournament, face full entry restrictions, while Ivory Coast and Senegal are subject to partial limits. Although players and team staff are exempt, fans from these countries may still be denied visas despite holding World Cup tickets.
Citizens of Visa Waiver Programme countries, including most of Europe, the UK, Japan and Australia, are not required to use the FIFA Pass and may continue to travel under the ESTA system.
The new visa pathway underscores both the scale of the 2026 World Cup and the growing intersection between global sport, border security, and international mobility.
