World Cup 2026 ticket holders can now access priority US visa appointments through a new FIFA-backed system. However, uncertainty still clouds whether fans from all qualified nations will be allowed entry.
The FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System, known as the FIFA Pass, went live on Tuesday. It was announced in November by US President Donald Trump ahead of the expanded 2026 tournament.
The initiative aims to shorten visa wait times for fans facing long delays. Yet, crucially, US authorities insist the system offers access, not assurance.
A State Department official stressed a FIFA Pass appointment “does not guarantee a visa will be approved”.All applicants must still “undergo thorough security screening and vetting”.
For many supporters, especially in Europe and parts of Asia, the system will not apply. Countries under the US Visa Waiver Programme can travel visa-free using an ESTA instead.
The State Department revealed the new process has already reduced global backlogs. Applicants in “over 80%” of countries can now book appointments in “less than 60 days”.
“At the visa appointment, the applicant must show they qualify for the visa and plan to follow our laws.” It added, “America’s safety and the security of our borders will always come first.”
Visa access expanded, but restrictions still shape the tournament
Complications remain for fans from countries affected by broader US immigration restrictions. Last week, Washington paused immigrant visa processing for 75 nations worldwide.
Fifteen of those countries have already qualified for the World Cup, including Brazil. Seven more remain in contention for the tournament across North America.
The State Department clarified the pause “applies to the issuance of immigrant visas only”. It “does not apply to non-immigrant visas, such as those for tourists, athletes and their families”.
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Qualified countries on the affected list include Algeria, Brazil, Egypt, Ghana, and Senegal. Others include Morocco, Iran, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Uruguay, and Uzbekistan.
Still, not all restrictions are equal. Haiti and Iran face full entry bans, while Ivory Coast and Senegal face partial restrictions.
Officials confirmed a FIFA Pass “does not allow people who are otherwise not eligible” to receive visas. As a result, fans from restricted countries “may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission”.
Athletes welcome, fans face uncertainty as matches loom
There are limited exceptions tied strictly to the competition itself. Guidance allows entry for “any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches”.
It also includes “persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives”. However, “the exception does not apply to fans or spectators”.
Supporters may still submit applications, but approval remains unlikely in restricted cases. The order pausing immigrant visas takes effect on Wednesday, 21 January.
The United States will host 78 of the tournament’s 104 matches across 11 cities. The final will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
As kickoff approaches, access, not tickets, may define the World Cup experience.
Tags: 2026 FIFA World Cup, Gianni Infantino, Donald Trump, visa priority, travel restrictions, FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System, FIFA Pass, priority US visa appointments.
