FIFA and the U.S. government have introduced a new visa priority program, FIFA PASS (FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System), for ticket holders to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
FIFA announced on Tuesday that FIFA PASS, an initiative led by the U.S. Department of State, will offer World Cup ticket holders priority visa interview appointments for their U.S. visits during the tournament. This service is set to become available in early 2026.
FIFA and U.S. officials acknowledged that visa interview wait times in some countries can reach 9-10 months. This raised concerns among fans who feared they might purchase tickets but still face difficulties entering the United States.
To address this issue, FIFA and the U.S. government collaborated to implement FIFA PASS, ensuring ticket holders receive priority scheduling for their visa interviews.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the North American World Cup is expected to be the most spectacular and inclusive tournament in history and that FIFA PASS reflects this commitment. He added that FIFA appreciates the strong support from the U.S. government as the country prepares to welcome global fans on an unprecedented scale.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said they are pleased to offer priority visa interview appointments for World Cup fans and that it is an honor to host what they believe will be the greatest and safest World Cup ever.
The 2026 World Cup will be held across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with over 6 million tickets expected to be sold.