US opens priority visa appointment system for 2026 World Cup ticket holders

Holders of tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup can now access priority visa appointment slots for travel to the United States, although concerns remain over whether fans from all qualified countries will ultimately be granted entry.

The FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System, known as the FIFA Pass, officially went live on Tuesday, January 20. 

The initiative, announced by US President Donald Trump in November, was introduced to address long visa appointment backlogs that could prevent some fans from securing visas in time for the tournament.

However, the US State Department has stressed that securing a FIFA Pass appointment does not guarantee visa approval. All applicants will still be required to undergo thorough security screening and vetting procedures.

Citizens of countries covered by the US Visa Waiver Program — which includes most European nations, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia and others — generally do not require a visa for short stays of up to 90 days. Instead, they must apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) and therefore do not need to use the FIFA Pass system.

A senior State Department official said the new platform is expected to significantly reduce waiting times, noting that applicants in more than 80 per cent of countries can now schedule visa appointments in fewer than 60 days.

“At the visa appointment, the applicant must demonstrate eligibility for the visa, compliance with US laws, and an intention to leave the country at the end of the tournament,” the official said. “America’s safety and the security of our borders will always come first.”

Countries affected by immigrant visa suspension

Football supporters from countries affected by the US suspension of immigrant visa processing will still be eligible to apply for entry to attend the 2026 World Cup.

The US announced last Wednesday that it is pausing the processing of immigrant visas from 75 countries, 15 of which have already qualified for the World Cup, including five-time champions Brazil.

An additional seven countries on the list remain in contention to qualify for the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

The State Department clarified on Tuesday that the suspension applies only to immigrant visas and does not affect non-immigrant visas, including those issued for tourists, athletes and their families, and accredited media professionals.

Qualified countries on the list of 75

Algeria, Brazil, Cape Verde, Colombia, Egypt, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Uruguay, Uzbekistan.

Countries still in qualification contention

Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, DR Congo, Iraq, Jamaica, Kosovo, North Macedonia.

What about countries on travel ban list?

The order to indefinitely pause the processing of immigrant visa applications from those 75 countries will take effect on Wednesday, 21 January.

Prior to this move, Trump expanded a travel ban that came into force on 1 January, which bars nationals of countries on that list from entering the US.

Haiti and Iran, who have both qualified for the 2026 World Cup, are on the list of countries with full restrictions.

Ivory Coast and Senegal, who have also qualified, are on the list of countries with partial restrictions.

The State Department said a Fifa Pass appointment does not allow people "who are otherwise not eligible" to be issued a visa, meaning fans from those four countries appear unlikely to be able to travel to the US for this summer's tournament.

Guidance from the State Department specified there are exceptions for "any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives" to the travel ban for the World Cup.

However, it added "the exception does not apply to fans or spectators". They can still submit visa applications but "they may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission to the United States".

The US will host 78 of the 104 total matches at the World Cup, across 11 cities, including the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.