2026 World Cup: U.S. visa, FIFA takes matters into its own hands | OneFootball

Coupe du Monde 2026

FIFA plans to make life easier for football fans traveling to the United States next summer for the 2026 World Cup.

With just a few months to go before the 2026 World Cup, FIFA and the U.S. State Department have announced the launch of the FIFA PASS. This system gives ticket holders priority access to visa interview appointments for entry into the United States. The initiative is designed to simplify the process for the millions of fans expected to flock to the U.S. Starting in early 2026, fans who have purchased a ticket will be able to request a fast-tracked visa interview, while travelers from countries eligible for the Visa Waiver Program can use ESTA.

The 2026 World Cup, which will be held in 16 cities across Canada, Mexico, and the United States—including 11 American host cities for 78 matches—is set to draw record crowds, with over six million tickets going on sale. According to a joint study by FIFA and the World Trade Organization published earlier this year, the tournament will have a massive socio-economic impact, creating 185,000 full-time jobs, generating more than $30 billion in gross output, and contributing an estimated $17.2 billion to the U.S. GDP.