2026 World Cup: US to Fast-Track Visa Interviews for Ticket-Holding Fans
US launches new system to speed up visa interviews for ticket-holding fans, helping millions avoid long delays ahead of the 2026 tournament
- US to prioritise visa appointments for 2026 World Cup ticket holders
- Holding a ticket speeds up interviews but doesn’t ensure a visa
- The system aims to ease long delays for fans from Africa and other regions
Fans from Africa and around the world hoping to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup may soon get faster access to US visa interviews, following an announcement by President Donald Trump.
The new initiative, called the FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System (PASS), will allow ticket holders experiencing long wait times to secure priority interview slots through FIFA.
Speaking at the White House, President Trump said PASS aims to help genuine football fans overcome delays, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that holding a ticket does not guarantee entry—the usual vetting process remains.
Priority status could allow fans to schedule interviews within six to eight weeks instead of waiting several months.
African countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa have faced particularly long wait times, with some applicants waiting months for appointments. In countries like Colombia, waits currently extend to nearly a year. Without PASS, many fans risk missing the tournament entirely.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino welcomed the move, emphasizing that it ensures ticket holders can attend the World Cup in “the best conditions,” while the US Travel Association praised it as a measure that improves efficiency without compromising security.
However, fans from countries under current US travel restrictions—such as Iran—may not benefit, as the executive order banning certain nationals remains in effect. Visa-free travellers from countries under the US Visa Waiver Program, including the UK, Japan, and Australia, are unaffected.
Unlike Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, where tickets were automatically linked to a Fan ID that acted like a visa, the US system will only fast-track interviews, not provide automatic entry.
