Trump announces World Cup ticket holders to get expedited U.S. visa applications
Ticket holders traveling to the United States for the 2026 World Cup will be able to get expedited visa interviews through a new FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS), President Donald Trump announced on Monday.
He made the announcement in the Oval Office during a White House media event that also included U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, the White House Task Force and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Rubio said the State Department has deployed an additional 400 consular officers around the world to handle World Cup-related visa requests.
“The good news now is that in about 80 percent of the world you can get a [visa] appointment within 60 days,” Rubio said. “It used to take half a year or longer. In places like Brazil or Argentina, it took over a year to get an appointment. Now, you can get it in less than two months.
“So, our advice to everyone is, if you have a ticket for any of the games, you need to apply. If you haven’t done so, do it as soon as possible. Don’t wait until the last minute. Your ticket is not a visa. It doesn’t guarantee admission to the U.S. It guarantees you an expedited appointment. You’re still going to go through the same vetting as anybody else would get. The only difference is, we’re moving them up in the queue.”
Fans who are in countries with available interview appointments and need a U.S. visa should apply with immediate effect at: FIFA World Cup 2026 - United States Department of State. Further information regarding the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System will be shared with ticket holders in early 2026.
In addition, fans from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) may be eligible to apply for visa waiver travel through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (or ESTA).
For further details on visas and entry requirements to all three host countries, please visit FIFA’s information page: https://fifa.fans/3LzLMXd.
“I’ve directed my administration to do everything within their power to make the 2026 World Cup an unprecedented success,” said Trump, who had a World Cup trophy on display on his desk. “I think it’s going to be the greatest. We are setting records on ticket sales. Nobody’s ever seen anything like the kind of numbers we’re doing.”
Infantino said five to 10 million visitors will travel for the 2026 World Cup, which is being hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19. Seven games will be held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, including four group stage matches (June 15, June 21, June 24, June 27), a Round of 32 match July 3, quarterfinal July 11 and third-place bronze medal game July 18.
The World Cup Draw, which determines which teams will play at which venues and the dates of each match, will be held Dec. 5 in Washington, D.C.
“With this FIFA PASS, we can make sure that those who buy a ticket that are legitimate soccer fans can come and attend the World Cup in the best condition, starting from getting their visa,” Infantino said.
A reporter asked President Trump about Seattle’s new Democratic socialist mayor-elect Katie Wilson, and whether her agenda, particularly on crime issues, would affect the city’s ability to host six scheduled matches and whether moving matches is a possibility.
Trump deferred to Infantino. The FIFA president stressed that “safety and security is the number one priority for a successful World Cup”, but did not indicate any venue changes were planned, adding that with 2 million tickets already sold, it is a sign that fans feel they are coming to “a safe and secure” World Cup.
This story was originally published November 17, 2025 at 4:28 PM.