President Donald Trump has announced a new system that will give priority in US visa appointment scheduling to foreign nationals who hold tickets for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
The announcement said the plan will introduce the Fifa Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System (Pass). Trump outlined the measure at the White House on Monday.
According to Trump, Pass will “allow World Cup ticket-holders with long wait times to opt with Fifa for a prioritised interview.”
BBC news cites that Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, said ticket-holders will not receive automatic visas but may access appointments within six to eight weeks of applying.
“Your ticket is not a visa; it doesn’t guarantee admission to the US,” Rubio said. “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 staged across the US, Canada and Mexico, with most matches held in US cities.
Fifa Expects Millions of Visitors
Speaking alongside Trump and Rubio, Fifa President Gianni Infantino estimated that up to 10 million people could travel to the US during the tournament.
“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,” Infantino said.
Long waiting periods for US visa appointments could limit fan attendance under current procedures. Data from the US State Department shows that applicants in Colombia face about an 11-month wait. In Mexico City, the wait is roughly nine and a half months, while non-Canadian residents in Toronto may wait 14 months.
If these timelines remain unchanged, some applicants would receive decisions only after the tournament ends.
Industry Response and Remaining Questions
Reports inform that the US Travel Association supported the policy shift. In a statement, CEO Geoff Freeman said the expedited scheduling “adds needed efficiency without sacrificing security” and helps the US prepare for increased travel in 2026.
However, it is unclear how the new rules will apply to ticket-holders from countries affected by Trump’s June executive order banning nationals from 12 countries from entering the US.
Iran, which has qualified for the World Cup, is among those listed.
The order currently exempts athletes and team staff for the World Cup and 2028 Olympics, but fans from those countries may still be restricted. The BBC reported that it has contacted the US State Department for clarification.
Visa Waiver Rules Still Apply for Many Travellers
Not all visitors to the US will require a visa. Citizens of countries covered under the US Visa Waiver Program can travel visa-free for up to 90 days. The programme includes most European nations, the UK, Japan, Australia and others.
