World Cup 2026: Ticket holders to benefit from prioritised U.S. visa appointments for travel to US

By Emmanuel Austin Baah On Nov 18, 2025

Led by the U.S. Department of State, the initiative gives ticket holders access to priority visa interview appointments ahead of the tournament

FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System for ticket holders will be available in early 2026.

Eleven U.S. cities will host 78 matches throughout the first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup along with three cities in Mexico and two cities in Canada

Ticket holders travelling to the United States are now eligible for the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS).

During a landmark event at the White House attended by the President of the United States Donald J. Trump, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, the White House Task Force and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the U.S. Department of State unveiled the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System, FIFA PASS, for FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket holders attending matches in the United States.

This service gives every fan who buys a ticket the opportunity to obtain a prioritised visa interview.

The announcement represents a major milestone in the build-up to the FIFA World Cup™ underscoring the close collaboration between FIFA and the White House Task Force in delivering a truly groundbreaking global event.

Following the announcement, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “America welcomes the World. We have always said that this will be the greatest and most inclusive FIFA World Cup in history – and the FIFA PASS service is a very concrete example of that.”

“I extend my sincere gratitude to the President of the United States Donald J. Trump, Vice President JD Vance, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Executive Director Andrew Giuliani and the White House Task Force for their incredible support. The United States is set to welcome fans from around the world on an unprecedented scale, and we are preparing to ensure that football unites the world when the tournament kicks off in North America next June.”

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated: “The United States is offering prioritized appointments so FIFA World Cup fans can complete their visa interviews and show they qualify. The kick-off is coming up, so now is the time to apply. We’re honored to host the greatest and safest World Cup in history.”

Over six million tickets will be available for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ to be held across 16 Host Cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Fans who are in countries with available interview appointments and need a U.S. visa should apply with immediate effect at: FIFA World Cup 2026™ – United States Department of State.

Further information regarding the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System will be shared with ticket holders in early 2026.

In addition, fans from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) may be eligible to apply for visa waiver travel through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (or ESTA).

Earlier this year, FIFA and the World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat released a study outlined the substantial socioeconomic impact that the FIFA World Cup 2026™ is expected to generate across the United States.

According to their estimates, the tournament will create 185,000 full-time jobs, deliver USD 30.5 billion in gross output, and contribute USD 17.2 billion to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Author

Emmanuel Austin Baah

My name is Emmanuel Austin Baah, professionally known as “Okocha”. I am a seasoned Ghanaian journalist, broadcaster and football commentator from Senya Bereku in the Central Region. My work reflects a strong commitment to factual reporting, ethical journalism and the continuous promotion of Ghanaian sports.

I am currently pursuing my studies at Cape Coast Technical University, building on a solid foundation of media practice and communication. I previously served as a sports producer at Radio Gold (90.5) and Montie FM (100.1) in Accra, where I was actively involved in editorial planning, programme production, live commentary and in-depth sports analysis.

Presently, I am a Senior Writer at SportsNetGhana.com, a role in which I produce well-researched features, match reports, athlete profiles and analytical pieces. My work consistently highlights emerging talents, captures key sporting developments and contributes to shaping informed sports discourse in Ghana.

Over the course of my career, I have covered numerous major sporting events both locally and internationally. Among these, the highlight remains my coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a significant milestone that strengthened my expertise in global football reporting and enhanced my understanding of international sports dynamics.

I am widely recognised for my clarity of analysis, engaging commentary style and strong command of both local and global football trends. Beyond the newsroom, I participate in community initiatives aimed at developing young sports journalists and promoting youth engagement in sports.

For professional engagements, media collaborations or enquiries, please contact me on 0265284330.

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