Ahead of the World Cup: The U.S. simplifies visa procedures for football fans
U.S. President Donald Trump has officially introduced a new opportunity for foreign fans planning to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches in the United States — the “FIFA Pass” system. This program allows fans who have purchased official FIFA tickets to access accelerated visa processing and earlier interview appointments.
During a meeting at the White House between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and President Trump, the full official name of the system was announced for the first time — the “Prioritized appointments scheduling system.”
“If you have purchased an official FIFA ticket for the World Cup, you will be eligible for an expedited visa appointment to enter the United States,” Infantino noted.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that more than 400 new consular officers have already begun work around the world as part of this initiative. Currently, in 80% of countries, U.S. visa interview wait times have been reduced to within 60 days.
Under the new system, FIFA ticket holders will be able to submit visa applications and schedule priority interviews via a dedicated “FIFA portal,” significantly shortening the processing time for thousands of fans.
