Before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held next year in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the U.S. State Department has begun special preparations by adding thousands of additional staff to handle the major surge in visa applications. The U.S. will send extra personnel to embassies and consulates in countries whose teams will play in the World Cup, in order to make special arrangements for those traveling to watch the matches.

Updating the visa process, the State Department has introduced special procedures for players, spectators, and volunteers coming to the U.S. during the football tournament. After a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the White House Oval Office, Secretary of State Mark Rubio announced that the visa process had been updated to manage the arrival of people coming to the U.S. to watch FIFA games. During that meeting, the FIFA President presented President Trump with FIFA’s first-ever Peace Award.

This update formally allows FIFA-recognized international volunteers to obtain B-1 visas. Issued on December 4, 2025, the policy change provides a clear visa pathway for individuals selected to support the World Cup.

One key condition of the B-1 category is that volunteers cannot receive salary or compensation from FIFA or any other source for the services they provide. The B-1 visa is typically intended for nonimmigrants traveling to the U.S. temporarily for business-related activities. In this case, it formally recognizes the unpaid and temporary roles volunteers play in organizing international sporting events. To manage the increased demand from match-goers, the State Department plans to send hundreds of additional consular officers to embassies in countries already selected or likely to qualify for the World Cup.

Some teams have already qualified, and in those countries, applicants reportedly face months-long waits for visa interviews. FIFA’s President urged President Trump to make the process easier. Trump instructed the State Department to facilitate visa processing from those countries. Supporters have noted that despite the Trump administration’s tough immigration stance—including intense security vetting and social media checks—the World Cup process is being designed to run more smoothly.

Standing alongside Trump and FIFA President Infantino in the Oval Office, Secretary of State Mark Rubio and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem outlined the plan to speed up visa interviews for 2026 World Cup ticket-holders. They explained that the purpose of implementing the FIFA Pass is to make it easier for fans to travel to the U.S., while still upholding immigration regulations. “This will be the greatest and most inclusive FIFA World Cup in history,” Infantino said, lifting the tournament’s golden trophy. “The FIFA Pass service is a very concrete example of that.”

Secretary Rubio clarified that the new system does not bypass legal requirements. “Your ticket is not a visa,” he said. “World Cup fans must complete their visa interview and prove they are eligible.” However, he added that countries historically facing months-long delays—such as South American football giants Argentina and Brazil—will now be able to secure visa interviews within 60 days once registered in the system.

Ticket sales for the World Cup began last week. Of the 104 matches, the U.S. is preparing to host 78.

The World Cup is expected to attract millions of supporters, but Trump warned that local conditions may influence where games are played. When asked about Seattle—where six matches are scheduled, but which has faced criticism over crime—Trump said, “If it looks like there will be a problem, I will ask Gianni to move that game to another city.” Secretary Noem said the Department of Homeland Security is working with host cities and FIFA to ensure safe and efficient travel.

What is the FIFA Pass and how to get one?

The FIFA Pass system is being used for the World Cup for the first time. To use it, fans must first purchase tickets for 2026 World Cup matches in the U.S. Once a FIFA Pass is issued, visa interview appointments become available more quickly. To obtain the pass, fans must choose a match, buy a ticket, and then FIFA’s system will issue the pass, allowing faster access to a visa interview slot.

Early in 2026, when the system opens, eligible ticket-holders can request priority visa interview appointments through the U.S. State Department. Those with a FIFA Pass must still complete several requirements to obtain a visa. Applicants must fill out the standard DS-160 visa form, pay the visa fee, and appear in person at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Possessing a ticket does not guarantee a visa—applicants must still meet all existing entry requirements.

Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries such as the U.K., France, or Germany may enter the U.S. with advance electronic authorization. Supporters from countries not under the Visa Waiver Program must apply for a B-1/B-2 visa, pay the standard $185 application fee, and also pay a newly introduced $250 “Visa Integrity Fee.”

In the Oval Office, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that the North American World Cup “will be the greatest and most inclusive FIFA World Cup in history — and the FIFA Pass service is a concrete example of that.”

The World Cup draw is scheduled for December 2025 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., where 48 teams will learn their group-stage opponents and host cities. President Trump is expected to play a significant role in the event. The tournament is projected to attract more than 600,000 supporters and generate $30.5 billion in economic output, including $17.2 billion added to U.S. GDP. While the FIFA Pass is intended to streamline processes for participating nations, it remains unclear how fans from countries like Nepal and India will access the pass.