In a significant move for global football fans, former US President Donald Trump has introduced a new system designed to speed up the visa process for those attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The announcement was made during a press conference in the Oval Office, following discussions with the White House Task Force and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
What is the FIFA PASS?
The new initiative, officially named the FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS), will allow football fans who have purchased tickets through FIFA to access a special portal. This portal will help them prioritize their visa application and interview with the US State Department. "We're going to do the same vetting as anybody else would get," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified. "The only difference here is, we're moving them up in the queue."
Logistics and Preparations for the 2026 World Cup
The administration is taking extensive measures to prepare for the massive influx of visitors. Secretary Rubio revealed that the US has added 400 consular officers worldwide to handle the expected surge in visa applications. He also noted that in approximately 80% of countries globally, travelers can currently get a US visa appointment within 60 days.
The 2026 World Cup will be a historic joint venture across North America:
- 104 games will be played in total.
- 11 US cities will host 78 matches for the 48-team tournament.
- Three cities in Mexico and two in Canada will also be host venues.
- Over six million tickets will be available for fans.
Leadership Commitment to an Inclusive Tournament
President Trump emphasized his administration's full support, stating, "I've directed my administration to do everything within their power to make the 2026 World Cup an unprecedented success." He also strongly encouraged all World Cup travelers to apply for their visas immediately.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino welcomed the announcement, saying, "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 added that the United States is preparing to welcome fans on an unprecedented scale, uniting the world through football when the tournament kicks off in June 2026.
