The U.S. government announced a major update to its visa policy for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making it easier for ticket holders to attend the tournament.
Following a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS) was unveiled.
This system aims to cut down long visa wait times—which can currently stretch up to 14 months in some areas—to a maximum of six to eight weeks for fans with tickets.
The move addresses concerns that stricter immigration policies and backlogged appointments would prevent international visitors from attending the expanded 48-team tournament, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged fans to “now is the time to apply,” promising the U.S. is ready to host a “greatest and safest World Cup.”
A remaining point of uncertainty is whether the new system applies to fans from countries like Iran, whose nationals are currently subject to a U.S. travel ban signed by President Trump in June.
