Priority visa appointments for FIFA World Cup: US

The United States is gearing up to host the largest FIFA World Cup in history, which will see the participation of 48 teams competing in 104 matches across 16 cities.

A statement from the US State Department said, 'For those international fans who need a U.S. visa, U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide are making more than 2 million additional visa interview appointments available. Hundreds of additional staff have been deployed worldwide to meet demand, and thanks to these efforts, visa wait times have dropped dramatically. For example, fans in Brazil and Argentina who once faced yearlong waits can now schedule interviews in under 60 days. The same is true in over 80% of the world. '  

Every visa applicant will undergo thorough vetting, ensuring the safety of U.S. citizens and all World Cup events and spectators, as well as the integrity of U.S. borders. Fans can apply now at FIFA World Cup 2026 – United States Department of State.

To give every single person who buys a ticket directly from FIFA and opts in for the chance for a visa interview, the administration is offering the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS).

FIFA PASS will allow ticket holders to access prioritized appointments so that they can schedule visa interviews before the World Cup begins. Then the applicants must show they qualify for the visa and plan to follow U.S. laws and leave at the end of the tournament.