President Donald Trump on Monday announced a new visa-facilitation system called the FIFA Prioritized Appointments Scheduling System (PASS), aimed at expediting visa interviews for international fans travelling to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The announcement came during a high-level meeting at the White House with the administration’s FIFA task force, attended by FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Trump urged football fans worldwide to apply for their visas “right away,” emphasising that the new mechanism would make travel smoother without weakening the administration’s strict immigration policies.
FIFA PASS unveiled to ease visitor surge in 2026
According to officials, FIFA PASS is designed to prioritise visa interview appointments for ticketholders, enabling them to complete mandatory consular procedures more quickly. The system is expected to be crucial in managing the massive influx of visitors next summer, when the U.S., Mexico, and Canada jointly host the world’s largest sporting event.
Infantino described the initiative as “a very concrete example” of making the upcoming tournament the most inclusive World Cup in history. Standing beside Trump at the White House, he said the new system would significantly streamline the entry process for millions of fans.
State Department prepares for unprecedented visa demand
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is projected to draw more than six million fans, with an estimated economic output of USD 30.5 billion, including USD 17.2 billion added to the U.S. GDP. Anticipating this surge, the U.S. State Department plans to deploy hundreds of additional consular officers to embassies in countries with strong football followings, especially those that have already qualified for the tournament.
However, current visa operations pose challenges. Some countries—such as Argentina and Brazil—face wait times stretching several months. Under FIFA PASS, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that registered ticketholders from such nations would now have guaranteed visa interview availability within 60 days.
No bypass of U.S. immigration rules, officials clarify
Rubio clarified that the new system is not a visa waiver and will not dilute immigration checks. “Your ticket is not a visa,” he said, underscoring that travellers must still meet all legal requirements.
Under Trump’s ongoing immigration restrictions, applicants will be subjected to stricter vetting, including expanded social-media checks and enhanced background scrutiny. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said her department is coordinating with host cities and FIFA to ensure that security remains the administration’s top priority.
Seattle, crime concerns, and Trump’s remarks
The U.S. will host 78 of the 104 total matches, but Trump hinted at the possibility of venue changes if local conditions warrant it. When asked about Seattle—scheduled to host six matches but frequently criticised by conservatives for its approach to crime—Trump said he would recommend relocating matches if the city was deemed unsafe. “If we think there’s going to be trouble, I would ask Gianni to move that to a different city,” he said.
FIFA ticket sales begin as visa rush expected
Tickets for the tournament went on sale last week, immediately triggering increased demand for U.S. visa appointments. With FIFA PASS now in place, embassies worldwide are preparing for a sharp surge in applications over the coming months.
Officials believe the system will boost coordination between FIFA and U.S. agencies, reducing uncertainty for fans planning international travel. Noem added that federal agencies were working closely with city authorities to ensure seamless and secure movement for visitors.
Conclusion
As the U.S. gears up to host its first World Cup since 1994, the FIFA PASS initiative represents a major logistical step toward managing what is expected to be record-breaking global attendance. While offering faster access for fans, the system also reaffirms the administration’s commitment to maintaining stringent security and immigration protocols. Further updates are expected as individual embassies roll out their enhanced visa-processing schedules.