By: Belinda Nketia
The United States government has introduced a priority visa appointment system for FIFA World Cup 2026™ ticket holders, offering expedited access to visa interview slots ahead of next year’s tournament. The initiative, called the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS), will become available in early 2026.
This was announced at the White House during an event attended by President Donald J. Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, members of the White House Task Force and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The U.S. Department of State will manage the system, which is open to ticket holders traveling to matches hosted in the United States.
Gianni Infantino called the move a major milestone in preparations for the first 48-team World Cup, highlighting the cooperation between FIFA and U.S. officials. Rubio said the priority scheduling is designed to help fans complete their visa interviews in time for the tournament.
The 2026 World Cup will take place across 16 host cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada, with 78 of the 104 matches scheduled in 11 U.S. cities. More than six million tickets are expected to be issued across the three countries.
Fans needing a U.S. visa are advised to begin the application process through the State Department’s official FIFA World Cup 2026™ information page. Supporters from Visa Waiver Program nations may qualify for travel through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
A FIFA–World Trade Organization study released earlier this year projected substantial economic benefits for the United States, including an estimated 185,000 full-time jobs, USD 30.5 billion in economic output and USD 17.2 billion added to U.S. GDP.
FIFA has published further entry and visa guidance for the United States, Mexico and Canada on its official information portal.
