The United States has rolled out a new system designed to help international football fans secure their visa interview dates ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Speaking at the White House, President Donald Trump announced the FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System—called PASS—which allows fans who already have match tickets to request earlier visa interview slots. The upcoming tournament, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico next summer, is expected to draw millions of visitors.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained that the new system doesn’t bypass security procedures.
“Having a ticket doesn’t mean you’re automatically allowed into the U.S.,” he said. “Everyone will still undergo the same checks. What changes is that these fans won’t be stuck at the back of the line.”
In many countries, wait times for visa interviews stretch close to a year or even longer. In Colombia, it’s nearly 11 months. In Mexico City, it’s around nine and a half. Some applicants in Toronto face waits of over a year. Under the new plan, ticket-holders can expect interview dates within six to eight weeks.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who joined Trump and Rubio for the announcement, said the move would help genuine supporters make the trip without unnecessary complications. He noted that millions are expected to travel to North America for the event and that more than one million tickets have already been purchased by fans from over 200 countries.
The U.S. Travel Association welcomed the announcement, describing it as an important step toward managing the massive influx of visitors while still keeping the system orderly and secure.
One unanswered question, however, concerns supporters from countries affected by Trump’s executive order restricting travel from 12 nations—including Iran, which has qualified for the tournament. While players and coaching staff are exempt, fans are not, and the State Department has yet to clarify how PASS will apply to them.
Trump added that his administration has already reduced visa interview backlogs worldwide and expects the World Cup to deliver a major boost to the U.S. economy, with job creation and billions in revenue.
Visitors from countries under the U.S. visa waiver programme—such as those in much of Europe, Japan, Australia, and the U.K.—will not need visas at all, as they can enter the country for short stays without one.
Unlike Russia and Qatar, which issued special fan ID cards for past tournaments, the U.S. will stick to its standard visa system—just with a faster lane for those holding match tickets.
