(UNITED STATES) President Donald Trump has announced a new fast-track visa appointment system, branded the FIFA PASS, that promises World Cup ticket holders a visa interview within 6 to 8 weeks of applying, far quicker than many current wait times at U.S. consulates worldwide. The program, aimed at fans planning to attend matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States 🇺🇸, Canada 🇨🇦, and Mexico, will run ahead of and throughout the tournament period from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
What the FIFA PASS does
Under the initiative, people who already hold match tickets will be able to request priority scheduling for their consular interview. The White House says the FIFA PASS is designed to move genuine supporters to the front of long appointment queues without changing the security checks that apply to every visitor visa applicant.
Officials say the goal is to:
– Clear a path for fans to get timely interviews.
– Maintain the same legal standards that govern regular tourist visas.
– Avoid altering the security vetting that applies to all applicants.
Scope and scale: visitor projections and host cities
The announcement comes as federal agencies prepare for an expected 5 to 10 million visitors linked to the 2026 tournament, which will be played in 16 host cities across North America. Eleven of those cities are in the United States.
Key figures:
– Tournament dates: June 11 to July 19, 2026
– Estimated visitors: 5 to 10 million
– Host cities: 16 total; 11 in the United States
– Funding for U.S. host cities: more than $600 million in grants
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the influx of fans, teams, and support staff was likely to strain normal visa systems unless special measures were introduced.
What a FIFA PASS appointment does — and does not — guarantee
Officials stress important limitations:
- Even with a FIFA PASS appointment, applicants will still:
- Complete the standard visa forms
- Pay regular visa fees
- Attend an in-person interview
- Pass the same security checks as other travelers
- A consular officer will continue to decide each case under U.S. law.
- The match ticket is not a guarantee of a visa, nor does it guarantee entry at the border.
The ticket itself will not guarantee a visa or entry at the border, even during the World Cup period.
Rationale: balancing security and economic benefits
The White House argues the move balances security needs with the economic promise of hosting one of the world’s biggest sporting events. President Trump framed the FIFA PASS as a way to welcome paying fans who have already invested in tickets while still keeping what he calls strong vetting in place for all foreign visitors.
Officials highlight the potential economic and promotional benefits:
– Boost tourism spending
– Showcase American stadiums, cities, and businesses to a global audience
Operational details and timeline
Central to planning is the tournament schedule. With games set from June 11 to July 19, 2026, immigration officers expect sharp peaks in demand for visitor visas tied to certain match days and host cities.
The government’s expectations and approach:
– Guarantee interviews within 6 to 8 weeks for ticket holders
– Enable earlier visa decisions so fans can finalize travel plans
– Reduce last-minute cancellations caused by appointment backlogs
Security planning and funding
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), leading security planning for the World Cup, is coordinating with local police and other agencies in host cities.
Funding and security measures:
– More than $600 million in grants directed to the 11 U.S. host cities
– Funding intended for extra patrols, training, and crowd management
– DHS states that faster visa interviews do not mean looser screening at the border: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
How FIFA PASS fits into existing visa procedures
The new system will operate alongside normal visitor visa steps. The process remains:
- Fill out the usual online visa application.
- Schedule a consulate appointment.
- Provide proof of a valid World Cup match ticket to request priority scheduling.
- Attend an in-person interview and answer a consular officer’s questions.
- Await the consular officer’s decision under U.S. law.
The FIFA PASS label affects only the speed at which interviews are scheduled after applicants show proof of a match ticket.
Benefits for fans and consulates
For fans:
– An interview within 6 to 8 weeks may reduce stress and uncertainty before travel.
– Helps those who have already booked flights and hotels avoid visa-related cancellations.
For consulates and planners:
– Aimed to prevent last-minute surges at consulates in the weeks before kickoff.
– By spreading interviews over a longer lead time, demand should be more evenly distributed.
Coverage and eligibility
Officials say the FIFA PASS will cover:
– Fans holding tickets for matches in all three co-host countries (United States, Canada, Mexico)
– Ticket holders attending fixtures in any of the 16 host cities
– Applicants who need a visa to enter the United States at some point during their World Cup trip
Why the special track was introduced
U.S. officials point to the projected 5 to 10 million visitors as a primary reason for creating special steps ahead of kickoff. With so many international travelers expected over a short period, visa processing delays could lead to a large number of missed trips.
The government’s reasoning:
– Build a separate track for ticket holders to ease pressure on standard visa lines
– Keep existing security checks unchanged while improving scheduling speed
Officials emphasize: security rules remain unchanged even with the FIFA PASS priority scheduling.
This Article in a Nutshell
The White House introduced FIFA PASS to provide World Cup ticket holders with visa interviews within 6 to 8 weeks, covering matches June 11–July 19, 2026, in 16 host cities. The program speeds appointment scheduling but keeps existing visa forms, fees, in-person interviews and security vetting. Officials expect 5 to 10 million visitors and directed over $600 million to U.S. host-city security. FIFA PASS aims to reduce appointment backlogs and help fans finalize travel plans without guaranteeing visa approval.
