USA president Donald Trump has introduced a new visa scheduling system for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the White House.
Speaking in the Oval Office with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Mr. Trump outlined a scheme called FIFA PASS. The system is meant to give ticket-holders faster visa appointment slots for next summer’s tournament. Infantino said that “between five and 10 million people” are expected to travel to the United States for the event.
Officials said the new scheduling tool should cut wait times for people who bought World Cup tickets. Still, authorities warned it will not remove all barriers that fans might face.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that holding a ticket does not guarantee entry. He said: “Your ticket is not a visa. It doesn’t guarantee admission to the U.S.,” Rubio said. “It guarantees you an expedited appointment. You’re still going to go through the same vetting. We’re going to do the same vetting as anybody else would get. The only difference here is we’re moving them up in the queue.”
Rubio added that fast-tracked cases could get an appointment in under two months in some places, compared with waits of more than a year in roughly 80% of countries. The administration has added 400 consular officers to help handle applications.
FIFA has reported ticket buyers in over 212 countries and plans to sell more than six million tickets for the tournament. Demand remains high even though many tickets are costly.
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Do we really need a FIFA PASS for visa appointments? Seems like unnecessary special treatment for World Cup attendees.
Is this the solution to long visa waits or just a way to prioritize certain applicants? Lets discuss!
Seems like a good move, but will it actually make a difference in the visa process for fans? Lets wait and see!
Do we really need a special FIFA PASS for visa appointments? Seems like a lot of hassle for just one event.
Is this really necessary? Why prioritize FIFA fans over other visa applicants? Seems unfair. #WorldCup2026 #VisaControversy
Why give priority to sports fans for visa appointments? Shouldnt other travelers have equal access? Lets discuss!
Is this really necessary? Shouldnt we focus on more important issues than speeding up visa appointments for a sports event?