The FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System, known as the FIFA Pass, went live on Tuesday after being announced by U.S. President Donald Trump in November. The system was designed to help address long visa wait times, particularly for citizens of countries whose national teams have qualified for the tournament but who might otherwise struggle to secure appointments in time.
However, U.S. authorities have emphasized that the FIFA Pass does not guarantee entry. The State Department said all applicants must still “undergo thorough security screening and vetting,” and that approval remains subject to standard immigration rules.
Most fans from countries covered by the U.S. Visa Waiver Program—including much of Europe, the UK, Japan and Australia—do not need a visa for short stays of up to 90 days. Instead, they must apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), meaning the FIFA Pass is primarily aimed at supporters from countries that require visas.
A senior State Department official said the new system has already reduced waiting times, with applicants in more than 80% of countries now able to schedule visa appointments in under 60 days. The official added that applicants must demonstrate they qualify for the visa, intend to comply with U.S. laws and will leave after the tournament, stressing that border security remains the top priority.
Impact of immigrant visa suspensions
Uncertainty remains for fans from countries affected by the U.S. decision to pause the processing of immigrant visas. Last week, Washington announced it would suspend immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, 15 of which have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, including Brazil. Seven additional nations on the list are still in contention to qualify.
The State Department clarified that the pause applies only to immigrant visas and does not affect non-immigrant visas, such as those issued to tourists, athletes, team staff or media workers. As a result, fans from these countries can still apply for tourist visas to attend the tournament.
Countries that have qualified and are on the suspension list include Algeria, Brazil, Cape Verde, Colombia, Egypt, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Uruguay and Uzbekistan.
Travel bans add further complications
Separate from the visa suspension, the U.S. has expanded a travel ban that came into effect on 1 January, barring entry for nationals of certain countries. Haiti and Iran—both qualified for the World Cup—are subject to full restrictions, while Ivory Coast and Senegal face partial restrictions.
The State Department said the FIFA Pass does not override existing travel bans and does not make ineligible applicants eligible for visas. While exemptions exist for players, coaches, support staff and immediate relatives, these do not extend to fans or spectators, who may still be denied visas or entry.
The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July. The U.S. will stage 78 of the tournament’s 104 matches across 11 cities, with the final set to take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.