Trump Unveils Revolutionary FIFA PASS Visa System to Transform 2026 World Cup Experience
US President Donald Trump announced a specialized visa appointment system tailored for the 2026 FIFA World Cup during a White House presentation on Monday.
During a media briefing with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the Oval Office, the American President outlined the new framework, called FIFA PASS, created to expedite visa processing for tournament ticket holders planning to attend next summer's competition.
FIFA's Prioritized Appointment Scheduling System will dramatically cut waiting periods for visa seekers traveling to America who have secured World Cup tickets, with Infantino stating that "approximately five to 10 million individuals" are expected to journey to the US for the event.
Nevertheless, this innovative system does not address all potential challenges that supporters might encounter during next summer's tournament.
'World Cup Ticket Is Not a Visa'
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio provided a warning, emphasizing that ticket ownership does not guarantee country access, while confirming that expedited applications will now require under two months instead of more than a year in 80% of nations. The Trump administration has recruited 400 additional consular staff to assist with application processing.
"Your ticket does not serve as a visa. It doesn't ensure US entry," Rubio explained. "It provides you with a priority appointment. You'll still undergo identical screening. We'll conduct the same background checks as anyone else receives. The sole distinction is we're advancing them in line."
He continued: "In locations such as Brazil and Argentina, you previously would have waited over a year for an appointment. Now you can obtain one in under two months."
FIFA has disclosed that tickets have been purchased across more than 212 nations, with over six million available throughout the tournament. Despite exceptionally steep costs, interest has skyrocketed as supporters strive to obtain seats for soccer's premier global competition.
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