US Visa Interviews to Prioritize Applicants with T20 World Cup Tickets
US President Donald Trump has announced that his country’s embassies will give priority to visa appointments for 2026 World Cup ticket holders.
On Monday, Trump said at the White House that FIFA’s Priority Appointment Scheduling System (PASS) will “allow long-awaited World Cup ticket holders to apply for priority interviews through FIFA.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that ticket holders for the World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico in June-July next year, will not automatically receive tourist visas. But Rubio added that foreign nationals who have World Cup football tickets can get an interview at an embassy or consulate within six to eight weeks of applying.
On Monday, Rubio said at the White House, “Your ticket is not a visa, it does not guarantee entry into the United States. We will vet them like everyone else. The only difference is that we are giving them a little head start in the queue.
The United States, which is co-hosting with Mexico and Canada, will host the majority of the 2026 World Cup matches. Of the 104 matches, 78 will be held in the United States.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, speaking with Trump and Rubio in the Oval Office, said that about 10 million spectators could come to the United States to watch the 2026 World Cup. “With the FIFA Pass, we can ensure that those who buy tickets can get a visa and attend the World Cup in the best possible conditions,” Infantino said.
Some national teams have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup. But they have to wait a long time for visa appointments in the United States.
US Visa Interviews to Prioritize Applicants with T20 World Cup Tickets
According to data published by the US State Department, travelers to Colombia who are currently applying for a US visa are waiting about 11 months for an interview. In addition, the average wait time for a visa interview for people in Mexico City is about 9 months. Non-Canadian citizens in Toronto have to wait about 14 months for an interview. If the wait continues, a large portion of the World Cup audience will not be able to see the US stands.
The US Travel Association praised Trump’s announcement. “The expedited process for FIFA ticket holders adds much-needed efficiency without compromising security,” its chief executive Geoff Freeman said in a statement. “However, it is unclear whether the new visa interview rules will apply to ticket holders from countries whose citizens are largely or entirely banned from traveling to the United States.” Last June, Trump issued an executive order banning citizens of 12 countries from entering the United States. Iran, which has qualified for the 2026 World Cup, is on the list of banned countries.
