World Cup 2026: The US Rolls Out “FIFA PASS” to Help Fans Beat the Visa Queue

If you’ve already secured a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, congratulations. You’ve beaten millions of fans to the good seats, the dramatic goals, and the overpriced stadium snacks. Now comes the next challenge: actually getting into the United States.

To help with that little detail, the US government — working hand in hand with FIFA — has launched FIFA PASS, a brand-new priority visa appointment system designed specifically for international World Cup fans. Think of it as a fast lane… but for paperwork.

The system officially went live just over four months before kickoff, because nothing says “World Cup excitement” like a carefully timed visa strategy.

So, What Exactly Is FIFA PASS?

FIFA PASS (short for FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System) is a voluntary program for fans who already hold valid World Cup tickets and need a US visa to attend.

The idea is simple:
If you’ve got a match ticket, FIFA PASS may help you secure an earlier visa interview appointment, especially if you’re applying from a country where US visa wait times feel longer than extra time plus penalties.

FIFA will notify current ticket holders via its ticketing platform, and future buyers can opt in when purchasing tickets. Easy enough — no chanting required.

Need more information about traveling to the US?

How FIFA PASS Works (Without the Jargon)

Here’s the play-by-play:

Step 1: Log into your FIFA.com account and opt in for FIFA PASS.
Step 2: Complete the standard US visa process (yes, the DS-160 form still exists, sorry). Upload your photo and pay the visa fee.
Step 3: Schedule your visa interview. When asked if you’re a FIFA ticket holder, confidently click “Yes.”

If your FIFA PASS info matches your visa application, voilà — you may unlock a priority interview slot.

One important reminder from the US State Department:
FIFA PASS helps with scheduling, not approval. You’ll still go through the same screening as everyone else. No skipping security checks, even if your team is amazing.

Who FIFA PASS Is (and Isn’t) For

FIFA PASS is mainly aimed at fans who need a visa interview to enter the US.

If you’re from a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) country — hello EU, UK, Japan, Australia, South Korea, and friends — this probably doesn’t affect you much. You’ll still just need an ESTA, not a visa appointment.

That said… ESTA itself may be getting more complicated soon, with proposals floating around for:

• Mobile-only applications
• Facial photo uploads
• Social media history
• Extra contact details
• Fun times ahead. Public comments are open until early February 2026.

What About Visa Suspensions and Travel Restrictions?

Good news first:
The US recently suspended immigrant visa processing for 75 countries — but tourist visas are not affected. Fans can still apply for B-2 visas to attend the World Cup.

Countries like Brazil, Morocco, Ghana, Senegal, Uruguay, and Algeria are still eligible for fan visas.

However, for countries under full or partial travel restrictions (such as Iran, Haiti, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal), FIFA PASS doesn’t override existing bans. Athletes and officials may get exceptions — fans, unfortunately, do not.

The Big Picture

The 2026 World Cup will be the biggest ever:

• 48 teams
• 104 matches
• 16 cities across the US, Canada, and Mexico
• 78 matches hosted by the US, including the final in New Jersey

With over six million tickets expected to be sold, FIFA PASS is essentially damage control — a way to help fans get through the visa system without missing kickoff.

Bottom Line

FIFA PASS won’t magically stamp your passport, but it might save you weeks of waiting and a whole lot of stress. If you’ve got tickets, need a US visa, and don’t enjoy refreshing embassy appointment pages at 2 a.m., it’s absolutely worth opting in.

Because the only thing more painful than your team losing?
Missing the match because of visa delays.