Priority Visas for FIFA World Cup Fans in the U.S.
Fans who purchase tickets for the FIFA World Cup will receive priority in visa interviews before their arrival in the United States for the tournament. This announcement was made on Monday after a meeting between then-U.S. President Donald Trump, the White House Task Force, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System, or FIFA PASS, aims to help the administration balance a strict immigration system while ensuring that visitors to the global football tournament can enter the United States smoothly.A total of eleven U.S. cities will host 78 matches during the 48-team tournament. In addition, three cities in Mexico and two in Canada will also host matches. Weeks after the tickets went on sale in October, FIFA announced that it had already surpassed one million tickets sold and that Phase 2 of sales had begun at the end of October for the next million tickets. Teams from around the world are in the final stages of qualifying to complete the 48-team group, with the United States, Mexico, and Canada already guaranteed spots. The group stage draw will take place on December 5th. Trump urged World Cup travelers to the United States to apply for their visas “immediately”. The Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, reported that the administration has deployed more than 400 additional consular officials worldwide to manage visa demand, and that in approximately 80 percent of the world, travelers to the United States can obtain a visa appointment within 60 days.America welcomes the world. We have always said that this will be the biggest and most inclusive FIFA World Cup in history, and the FIFA PASS service is a very concrete example of this.
Gianni Infantino, FIFA President
