Fans holding tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup can now apply for priority visa appointments to travel to the United States, following the launch of a new system aimed at easing entry for supporters from around the world.
The FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System, known as the FIFA Pass, officially went live on Tuesday after being announced by US President Donald Trump in November.
The initiative was introduced partly because citizens of some countries whose teams have qualified for the tournament may otherwise struggle to secure visa appointments in time for the competition.
However, US authorities have cautioned that access to the system does not automatically guarantee a visa.
The US State Department has stressed that all applicants must still “undergo thorough security screening and vetting,” with approvals dependent on meeting all entry requirements.
Most fans from countries covered by the US visa waiver programme — including much of Europe, the United Kingdom, Japan and Australia — are unaffected by the change, as they can normally enter the US without a visa for up to 90 days.
Instead, travellers from these nations are required to apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), rather than using the FIFA Pass.
A senior State Department official revealed that the new system is already reducing delays, with applicants in more than 80 percent of countries now able to book a visa appointment in less than 60 days.
“At the visa appointment, the applicant must show they qualify for the visa and plan to follow our laws and leave at the end of the tournament,” the official said. “America’s safety and the security of our borders will always come first.”
Despite the introduction of the FIFA Pass, doubts remain over whether fans from every country that qualifies for the 2026 World Cup will ultimately be able to enter the United States, as final decisions still rest on individual visa approvals.