Trump Announces Faster US Visa Process for 2026 World Cup Fans

President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will create a special priority visa system for fans who hold tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This new step is meant to help manage the very large number of international visitors expected to come next year for the major football event. The president said that this system will make visa processing faster and easier for fans who want to travel to the US to watch the matches.

New Visa System to Reduce Long Wait Times

According to the announcement made on Monday, the US government will introduce a “prioritised appointment scheduling system.” This system will allow people who have officially purchased World Cup tickets through FIFA to get faster access to visa interview appointments. Many fans face long wait-times for US visas, and this plan is meant to ease that pressure.

FIFA also confirmed the news, saying that ticket holders will be able to use this special system starting in early 2026. The initiative is led by the US State Department and is focused on ensuring that visitors can enter the country smoothly while maintaining proper security checks.

Trump said that both the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security had worked closely to make sure that soccer fans from around the world are properly checked and can travel to the United States without unnecessary difficulty.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by three countries for the first time: the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Because of the large number of matches and major cities involved, officials expect the event to bring millions of fans, including many international visitors. Host cities in the US are preparing for a major economic boost from tourism, hospitality, and travel connected to the tournament.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who joined Trump in the Oval Office, said that safety and security were the most important priorities. He explained that a strong security plan is essential for a successful World Cup.

White House Task Force Leading Planning Effort

The president’s comments came after a meeting of the White House task force that is managing planning for the World Cup. This task force was created by executive order to coordinate security, transportation, and other major needs. Trump is the chair of the task force, while Vice President JD Vance serves as vice chair. Andrew Giuliani, son of Rudy Giuliani, is the executive director of the group.

Trump has taken a personal interest in the tournament and has attended many major sporting events since returning to office. He has said repeatedly that he wants the World Cup to be a major success for the United States.

While Trump has promised easier travel for fans, some critics say that his immigration policies and increased federal policing in certain cities may conflict with those promises. Recently, he warned that he might move World Cup matches away from Boston or even move the 2028 Olympic Games from Los Angeles if he felt those cities were unsafe or unprepared.

He repeated these warnings on Monday and said he would be willing to send National Guard troops to cities that requested help to maintain order during the tournament. He also criticised California’s handling of crime and natural disasters while saying he still wants Los Angeles to host matches.

FIFA has been increasing its presence in the US ahead of the 2026 tournament. In June, the organisation opened an office in Trump Tower, an event attended by Eric Trump. FIFA also opened an office in Miami last year, which now houses part of its legal operations.

The World Cup group-stage draw will take place next month at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., another institution where Trump has shown interest in leaving his mark. The draw will determine which teams play each other and where the matches will be held.