Washington, November 18: Following a meeting between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and US President Donald Trump, the Trump administration has announced priority visa interview appointments for FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket holders.
The initiative introduces the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS), designed to streamline and expedite the visa application process for international fans attending the tournament.
Addressing Immigration Concerns
The announcement comes amid questions about hosting such a massive sporting event in North America following the strict immigration policies implemented by the Trump administration in 2025. This new measure is expected to significantly boost international attendance and ease concerns about visa accessibility.
Tournament Details
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico across 16 cities, marking the first time the tournament features an expanded format of 48 teams.
The United States is prepared to welcome fans from around the world at an unprecedented level, and we are committed to ensuring that football unites the world,” Infantino said in an official statement.
Strong Ticket Demand
Despite visa-related concerns, ticket demand remains robust, with over 1 million tickets already sold during FIFA’s October sales phase.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the administration’s commitment:
America is providing priority appointments so FIFA World Cup fans can complete their visa interviews as quickly as possible. The tournament is approaching, so now is the right time to apply. We are prepared to deliver the safest and most spectacular World Cup in history.”
The priority scheduling system is expected to ease logistical challenges and ensure maximum global participation in what promises to be the largest World Cup ever held.
Hindustan Samachar
(This story is a translated version from a syndicated Agency feed. Except for the headline, The content has not been edited by The Central Post staff.)
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