FIFA PASS: US announces priority visa interviews for World Cup ticket holders

The US has announced it will have a priority interview process for every fan who buys a ticket for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS) system was announced at the White House when President Donald Trump met with FIFA boss Gianni Infantino. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Homeland Security counterpart, Kristi Noem, also attended the Oval Office event.

“We’re making sure that people who come in on these tourist Visas are coming in thoroughly vetted, just like anyone who would travel here, and they would come and enjoy our country, and then they would go home in a timely manner,” said Noem.

“And we’re excited to partner with the President on creating memories for people around the world that will make them not just fall in love with the United States but also fall in love with the sport of soccer.”

The announcement is a major milestone in the build-up to the historical soccer spectacle that will be co-hosted in North America, featuring 48 teams for the first time ever. It underscores “the close collaboration between FIFA and the White House Task Force in delivering a truly groundbreaking global event”.

“The kick-off is coming up, so now is the time to apply. We are honored to host the greatest and safest World Cup in history,” said Rubio.

Apply with immediate effect

More than six million tickets are available for the event to be held across 16 Host Cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Following the announcement, ticket holders in countries with available interview appointments are eligible to “apply with immediate effect” on a dedicated portal.

“America welcomes the World. We have always said that this will be the greatest and most inclusive FIFA World Cup in history – and the FIFA PASS service is a very concrete example of that,” said Infantino.

“The United States is set to welcome fans from around the world on an unprecedented scale, and we are preparing to ensure that football unites the world when the tournament kicks off in North America next June.”

A study by FIFA and the World Trade Organization’s Open Economics projected that the monthlong showpiece will contribute at least $17.2 billion to the US gross domestic product (GDP), creating more than 185,000 full-time jobs.