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U.S. Launches 'FIFA PASS' to Prioritize Visa Interviews for 2026 World Cup Ticket Holders

Officials stressed that faster interviews do not guarantee visas.

Overview

  • Ticket holders who purchased through FIFA will request prioritized appointments via a dedicated portal expected to open in early 2026.
  • The State Department has deployed more than 400 additional consular officers, and in about 80% of countries visa interview waits are now 60 days or fewer.
  • Expedited scheduling moves applicants up the queue while maintaining the same security vetting applied to all visa seekers.
  • President Trump warned he may urge FIFA to relocate matches from cities he deems unsafe, naming Seattle, and said he could send the National Guard to Los Angeles if needed.
  • FIFA reports over one million tickets sold so far and projects 6–7 million in total, while the White House touts up to $30 billion in U.S. economic output; the World Cup draw is set for Dec. 5.