Washington, Nov 18 (UNI) President Donald Trump has announced that US embassies will expedite the process of granting visa appointments to travellers holding tickets to the 2026 World Cup, BBC reported.
Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump said the FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System (Pass) will allow World Cup ticket-holders with long wait times to opt for a 'FIFA prioritised interview'.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that ticket-holders for the tournament, set for next June and July in the US, Canada, and Mexico, will not be automatically granted a tourist visa
"Your ticket is not a visa; it doesn't guarantee admission to the US," Rubio said, adding that "We're going to do the same vetting as anybody else would get. The only difference here is we're moving them up in the queue."
But foreign nationals with tickets to World Cup football matches could get an interview at an embassy or consulate within six to eight weeks of applying, Rubio said.
The 2026 men's World Cup will be co-hosted across North America, Mexico, and Canada, with most matches scheduled in the United States.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, speaking in the Oval Office with Trump and Rubio, said up to 10 million visitors could come to the US to watch World Cup matches.
"With this FIFA Pass, we can make sure that those who buy a ticket, who are legitimate football fans or soccer fans, can come and attend the World Cup in the best conditions, starting from getting their visa," he added.
BBC reported that several countries whose national teams have already qualified for next year's tournament currently have long wait times for visa appointments.
In Colombia, the wait time is around 11 months, while in Mexico City, it is nine and a half months. Non-Canadian citizen residents of Toronto face a 14-month wait.
The US Travel Association praised the move. "The expedited process for FIFA ticket-holders adds needed efficiency without sacrificing security. This is the kind of practical action that strengthens security, increases capacity and cuts wait times, putting the U.S. on a stronger footing to welcome millions of visitors next year," its CEO, Geoff Freeman, said in a statement.
However, it remains unclear if the new appointment rules will apply to ticket-holders from countries affected by Trump's June executive order banning nationals from 12 countries from entering the US. Iran, one of the qualified nations, is on the list.
The order exempts athletes and coaching staff travelling for the World Cup and 2028 Olympics, but not fans.
Most travellers from Visa Waiver Programme countries, including the UK, much of Europe, Japan, and Australia, will not require a visa to visit the US next year.
At the past two World Cups in Russia and Qatar, a match ticket generated a fan ID that could be used like a visa to enter the host country.
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