Washington: Fans travelling to North America for the FIFA World Cup 2026 will now have access to priority visa interview appointments, as part of a new initiative introduced after a high-level meeting between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and U.S. President Donald Trump.
Announced on November 17, 2025, the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS) aims to streamline the visa application process for ticket-holders and ensure smoother international travel for supporters planning to attend the tournament.
The development comes amid heightened discussion surrounding U.S. immigration policy and deportation measures in 2025, which had raised concerns over whether international fans would face difficulties entering the country for football’s biggest global showcase.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will span 16 major cities and feature an expanded lineup of 48 national teams, making it the largest tournament in World Cup history.
“The United States is preparing to welcome fans on a scale never seen before. Our goal is to ensure that football unites the world when the tournament begins in North America next June,” Infantino said in an official statement.
Despite earlier concerns, ticket demand remains strong, with over one million tickets sold during FIFA’s first round of ticket releases in October.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that the government is committed to facilitating secure and efficient entry for football travellers:
“We are offering priority visa appointments to World Cup fans to help them complete required interviews in time. This is a historic tournament, and we look forward to hosting the safest and greatest World Cup ever.”
