United States to facilitate visa acquisition for World Cup fans

(Patria) - The United States will expedite visa issuance for foreign visitors with tickets to the Football World Cup matches, which will be held next year in eleven American cities, said President Donald Trump, Reuters reported.

Washington will establish an appointment system for visa interviews that will prioritize foreign fans attending the World Cup matches, which will be held from June 11 to July 19. Mexico and Canada will also host matches.
Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that government agencies have been working "to ensure that football fans from all over the world are properly vetted and can easily come to the United States next summer".

The President said his administration has expedited visa processing for people in most countries, with waiting times now 60 days or less. He said the World Cup could generate $30 billion and create 200,000 jobs.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the State Department has added 400 consular officers to process visas, doubling the presence in certain countries.

"The United States is offering priority appointments so that fans can conduct visa interviews and show that they meet the requirements," Rubio said.

At the White House, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that five to ten million people will come to the United States for the matches.

So far, fans from 212 countries have purchased over a million tickets, FIFA announced.

In a statement, the football governing body stated that ticket holders will receive more information about the priority appointment system for visas in early 2026.