FIFA World Cup Ticket Holders to Get US Visas Faster: FIFA PASS Announced

 

 

P.P. Cherian

Washington, D.C.: Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the U.S. State Department and FIFA have announced a new system called the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS) that will help international fans with tickets get United States visa interviews faster.

Fans from some major soccer countries, such as Colombia, are currently facing visa interview wait times of nine months or more. The new system is intended to alleviate this problem.

Fans holding tickets for the 2026 World Cup will be able to schedule visa interviews faster for ticket holders in early 2026 through the FIFA Pass. The wait time is expected to be reduced to approximately 6 to 8 weeks.

While the FIFA Pass will speed up visa interview procedures, the usual security checks for obtaining a visa will not change, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said. He added that the ticket will not be considered a visa.

More than 6 million tickets are expected to be available for the World Cup, which will be held in the US, Mexico and Canada. The World Cup is estimated to generate an economic stimulus of $30.5 billion nationwide.

Officials said fans who need a visa should start the process now through the US State Department’s FIFA-specific application page.