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The United States has launched a priority visa appointment scheme for fans who have secured tickets to the 2026 World Cup, allowing them to apply for earlier visa interview dates ahead of the tournament.
According to a BBC report, under the new arrangement, ticket holders can access expedited visa slots before the opening match on June 11,
The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, running from June 11 to July 19. The US is prepared to stage 78 of the tournament’s 104 matches across 11 cities, with the final scheduled to take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
US President Donald Trump previously said the Departments of State and Homeland Security were working intensively to ensure that international football fans are screened appropriately and able to travel smoothly for the competition. He noted that his administration had been instructed to take all necessary steps to ensure the tournament’s success, adding that ticket sales were already reaching record levels.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the organisation anticipates that between five and ten million fans will travel to North America for the World Cup. He explained that the new system is designed to help genuine ticket holders attend the tournament under optimal conditions, beginning with easier access to visa appointments.
The priority system, officially known as the FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System and referred to by Trump as the “FIFA Pass,” became operational on Tuesday.
Despite the rollout, uncertainty remains over whether supporters from all qualifying nations will ultimately be granted entry into the US. The programme was partly introduced because visa appointment wait times in some countries could otherwise prevent fans from attending the tournament.
The US State Department has emphasised that access to a FIFA Pass appointment does not guarantee visa approval, noting that all applicants will still be subject to full security screening and eligibility checks.
Citizens of countries covered by the US Visa Waiver Programme, including most European nations, the United Kingdom, Japan and Australia, are not required to apply for a visa for short stays of up to 90 days. Instead, they must obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) and do not need to use the FIFA Pass.
A senior State Department official said the initiative is expected to significantly reduce wait times, with applicants in more than 80 percent of countries now able to secure visa appointments within 60 days. The official added that applicants must demonstrate compliance with US laws and confirm plans to depart once the tournament ends, stressing that national security remains the top priority.
The announcement comes despite a recent suspension of immigrant visa processing affecting 75 countries, 15 of which have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, including Brazil. An additional seven countries on the list are still in contention to qualify.
US authorities clarified that the suspension applies only to immigrant visas and does not affect non-immigrant categories, such as tourist visas, or visas issued to athletes, team officials, media personnel and their families.
Countries already qualified for the tournament that are affected by the immigrant visa pause include Algeria, Brazil, Cape Verde, Colombia, Egypt, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Uruguay and Uzbekistan. Nations still competing for qualification include Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, DR Congo, Iraq, Jamaica, Kosovo and North Macedonia.
The suspension of immigrant visa processing is scheduled to take effect on Wednesday, January 21.
The State Department noted that while the FIFA Pass allows fans to request visa appointments, it does not override existing eligibility rules. As a result, supporters from countries under full or partial travel restrictions may be unable to enter the US, even if they hold match tickets.
Guidelines provide exemptions for athletes, coaches, essential support staff and their immediate relatives travelling for the World Cup. However, these exemptions do not extend to general spectators, meaning fans from affected countries may still face barriers to entry despite applying for visas.
