President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will roll out a priority visa system for spectators attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a move aimed at managing the expected surge of international visitors for the global tournament.
Speaking on Monday, Trump highlighted the introduction of a prioritised appointment scheduling system, explaining that it would help ease lengthy visa wait times by fast-tracking applications from fans who already hold match tickets.
According to FIFA, which issued a statement on the initiative, the US State Department will lead the programme. Supporters with tickets purchased directly through FIFA will receive priority access to visa interview slots, with those expedited interviews anticipated to become available in early 2026.