By: ABID SIDDIQUE CHAUDHRY
The World Ambassador
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Fans who have purchased tickets for the FIFA World Cup 2026 will now receive priority access for U.S. visa interviews. This facility will be offered under the FIFA Priority Assignment Schedule System, which will become operational in early 2026 in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State.
The announcement was made at the White House in the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of the Interior Kristi Noem, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The purpose of this initiative is to provide priority interview slots to ticket holders traveling to the United States for World Cup matches.
According to FIFA, this step marks an important milestone in World Cup preparations and reflects the United States’ readiness to welcome fans from around the world. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that with the World Cup approaching, this is the best time for fans to secure their visa appointments.
The 2026 World Cup will feature 78 matches across 16 host cities (11 in the U.S., 3 in Mexico, and 2 in Canada), with over 6 million tickets expected to be available.
FIFA has advised ticket holders to apply for their visa appointments as early as possible. Fans from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries may apply for visa-free travel through ESTA.
