In a high‑profile announcement Monday in the Oval Office, Donald Trump introduced a new program called the “FIFA Pass” aimed at expediting U.S. visa interviews for international fans who have purchased tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The initiative, developed in coordination with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and unveiled alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio, will allow ticket‑holders who purchased through FIFA to access a dedicated portal and receive higher priority for visa interview appointments at U.S. consulates worldwide.
Trump emphasized that fans should “apply right away” and described the World Cup — co‑hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico — as “an unprecedented success” in the making. In preparation, the administration has deployed over 400 additional consular officers globally and reports that in about 80% of countries visa appointments can now be scheduled within 60 days.
Despite the faster scheduling, Rubio stressed that a match ticket does not guarantee admission to the United States: applicants will still undergo full vetting. The move is part of a broader push to accommodate the expected influx of 5 to 10 million international visitors during the tournament, which will feature 104 matches and is projected to generate billions in economic activity.
While hailed as a boost for global fans, some analysts note the program may raise questions around fairness and processing of non‑ticket‑holders, but as of now the FIFA Pass stands as the flagship visa initiative for the 2026 World Cup.
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