U.S. President Donald Trump announced a special expedited visa process for travelers holding tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, though his administration cautioned that this would not guarantee entry into the country. On Tuesday, Trump stated that the U.S. will introduce a scheduling system for visa interviews that gives priority to international fans planning to attend World Cup games.
The top football tournament is scheduled from June 11 to July 19 next year, with matches also being held in Mexico and Canada. Despite worries that Trump's strict border policies might affect fans, the US has assured a smooth experience at the event.
The president stated that his administration has accelerated visa processing times for individuals in most nations, reducing the wait time to 60 days or less. He mentioned that the World Cup has the potential to generate US$30 billion ($46 billion) and create 200,000 jobs.
"For those who intend to join us for the World Cup, I strongly encourage you to apply right away,"Trump made the announcement about the plan while standing alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Infantino, who has frequently been seen alongside Trump since the Republican's re-entry to the White House in January, described the 'FIFA Pass' as a 'significant announcement'.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the State Department has added 400 consular officers to speed up visa processing, doubling staff in some countries. Still, he cautioned that a match ticket “is not a visa,” noting it only guarantees a faster appointment, not entry to the US. Ticket holders should receive interviews within six to eight weeks, and Rubio urged fans to apply soon.
FIFA reports that fans from 212 nations have already bought more than a million tickets. However, the tournament is facing political challenges, as Trump's stringent policies have raised concerns and led to proposals to relocate matches from certain host cities.
