US unveils priority visa access for 2026 World Cup ticket-holders

The United States government has announced a new fast-track visa scheme for fans travelling to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, promising quicker interview appointments for supporters holding match tickets.

Revealed during an event at the White House, the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS) will allow ticket-holders to book expedited visa interview slots ahead of next summer’s tournament, which will be staged across 16 host cities in the US, Mexico and Canada.

The initiative is led by the US Department of State and was presented in the presence of President Donald J. Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, senior members of the White House task force and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

A major operational step for the first 48-team World Cup

The 2026 edition marks the debut of the expanded 48-team format, with the United States hosting 78 matches in 11 cities, alongside three venues in Mexico and two in Canada. FIFA PASS is designed to ease some of the logistical pressures on what is expected to be the biggest-ever influx of international supporters into North America.

Infantino hailed the scheme as evidence of the tournament’s ambition.

“America welcomes the world,” he said. “This will be the most inclusive World Cup in history, and FIFA PASS is a very concrete example of that. I am grateful to the President, the Vice President and the entire White House task force for their support as we prepare to unite the world through football next June.”

Secretary Rubio urged supporters to move quickly.

“The kick-off is coming up, so now is the time to apply,” he said. “We are proud to host what we expect to be the greatest – and safest – World Cup in history.”

Visa options and guidance

The new system will open in early 2026, with more than six million tickets expected to be put on sale for the tournament. Supporters who require a visa are encouraged to apply as soon as interview slots become available, while travellers from Visa Waiver Programme countries may instead use ESTA for entry.

Further details and guidance are provided via the US Department of State’s dedicated FIFA World Cup 2026 page.

Economic windfall projected

A joint study released earlier this year by FIFA and the World Trade Organization projected that the tournament will generate enormous economic returns for the United States, including:

• 185,000 full-time jobs

• USD 30.5 billion in gross output

• USD 17.2 billion added to US GDP

Such figures underline the scale of the event and its importance to North America’s sporting and economic landscape.