The United States government has unveiled a new expedited visa system to accommodate the expected surge of international visitors for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The programme, named FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS), will allow fans with valid World Cup tickets to secure priority visa interview appointments at US embassies and consulates worldwide starting early 2026.
President Donald Trump announced the initiative during a White House event, highlighting his administration’s commitment to ensuring a seamless tournament as the US prepares to co-host the 48-team event with Mexico and Canada.
Trump was joined by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and World Cup Task Force director Andrew Giuliani.
Secretary Rubio clarified that while FIFA PASS guarantees faster appointments, it does not guarantee visa approval.
“It guarantees you an expedited appointment. You’ll still go through the same vetting process as anyone else. The only difference here is that we’re moving you up in line,” Rubio explained.
To meet the demand, the State Department has deployed over 400 additional consular officers worldwide, reducing visa wait times in high-volume football nations like Brazil and Argentina from over a year to under two months.
FIFA stated that the fast-track programme is part of a broader collaboration with the US World Cup Task Force. The 2026 edition is expected to attract six to seven million ticket holders, with the US hosting 78 of the 104 matches across 11 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Miami.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the initiative as a step toward hosting the most accessible World Cup in history. “America welcomes the world. We have always said that this will be the greatest and most inclusive FIFA World Cup in history, and the FIFA PASS service is a very concrete example of that,” he said.
