FIFA PASS to Fast-Track U.S. Visa Interviews for 2026 World Cup Ticket Holders

FIFA World Cup ticket holders will be granted priority access to visa interviews before travelling to the United States for the tournament. The measure was announced Monday following a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump, the White House Task Force and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

The new system, known as the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS), is designed to support a strict U.S. immigration framework while ensuring that World Cup visitors can secure entry without delays.

“America welcomes the world,” Infantino said in a statement. “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.”

The 2026 World Cup will feature 78 matches across 11 U.S. host cities, with additional games in three Mexican cities and two in Canada. Ticket sales have surged since launching in October, passing 1 million within weeks. FIFA has since opened Phase 2 to accommodate the next wave of purchases.

Teams worldwide are approaching the final stage of qualification for the expanded 48-team event. The United States, Mexico and Canada have already secured their places as co-hosts, and the group-stage draw is scheduled for Dec. 5.

Trump urged fans to act promptly, saying he “strongly” encourages World Cup travelers to apply for their visas “right away.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the administration has deployed more than 400 additional consular officers globally to meet expected demand. He added that in roughly 80 percent of countries, travellers can currently secure a U.S. visa appointment within 60 days.

WRITTEN BY

Jarrod

Jarrod Partridge is the Founder of Futbol Chronicle and an accredited journalist with over 30 years of experience following international football. A member of the AIPS International Sports Press Association, Jarrod has covered matches at stadiums around the world, bringing first-hand insight to every match report, player profile, and tactical analysis he writes.

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