Particle.news
Download on the App Store
32 ARTICLES
·
2h ago

White House Launches 'FIFA PASS' to Speed Visa Interviews for 2026 World Cup Fans

The State Department has deployed more than 400 extra consular officers and says ticket holders will get priority scheduling but face standard vetting.

Image
U.S. President Donald Trump sits while Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House Task Force for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stand by his side, as he meets with the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 17, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
Image
U.S. President Donald Trump sits next to FIFA President Gianni Infantino and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as he meets with the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 17, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

Overview

  • FIFA PASS will let verified World Cup ticket holders use a dedicated portal to secure prioritized U.S. visa interview appointments, though a ticket is not a visa.
  • Officials said visa wait times are now 60 days or fewer in roughly 80% of countries after the global consular surge, and urged fans to apply as soon as possible.
  • President Trump, joined by FIFA’s Gianni Infantino, announced the program ahead of the Dec. 5 draw in Washington, where group-stage matchups will be set.
  • Trump warned he could ask FIFA to move matches from host cities he deems unsafe or uncooperative, citing Seattle, as Infantino emphasized safety as the top priority.
  • FIFA projects between 5 million and 10 million visitors and 6–7 million tickets sold for the expanded 48-team tournament running June 11 to July 19 across the U.S., Mexico and Canada.