With the 2026 World Cup fast approaching, the US authorities and FIFA have just launched a crucial scheme for international fans: the «FIFA Pass». January 20, 2026, FIFA announced officially launched applications. The aim is to ease the backlog of tourist visa applications, a real obstacle course for many fans.
An administrative pass, not a free pass
Faced with waiting times for U.S. visa interviews - which can exceed a year in some countries - the scheme is designed as a fast track. This measure, which recently came into force, enables holders of confirmed match tickets to benefit from priority appointment slots at American consulates.
It is important to note that the FIFA Pass« does not constitute a visa exemption nor a guarantee of approval. As specified by the US administration, security protocols remain unchanged: each applicant will have to undergo standard background checks and prove his or her eligibility. Only the processing time has been accelerated.
How does it work?
The process, which is entirely digital, is based on collaboration between the FIFA ticketing office and the American consular services. Specifically, fans must :
- Have a validated ticket for the competition.
- Fill in a specific form via their account on the FIFA portal.
- Apply for visa tourist visitor (B-2 or B1/B2 combined)
- Once eligibility has been confirmed, they are offered access to reserved interview slots.
A major stake in the success of the tournament
Organized jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico, this is the most open World Cup in history. Until now, however, the United States' strict immigration policy has been a major obstacle, particularly for fans from Africa, South America and Asia.
With these measures, Washington is trying to reassure the international community that, while the borders remain under surveillance, the stadium gates should not remain closed due to administrative delays.
Fill in a file from ESTA USA
English 
Français 
Deutsch 
Italiano 
Español