As the first World Cup with 48 teams gets ready to kick off across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, international fans are gearing up for a memorable summer of soccer. For those planning to attend matches in the United States, the U.S. government has introduced a new tool called FIFA PASS to help with travel visas. Here’s what you need to know:
What Is FIFA PASS?
FIFA PASS (short for FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System) is a priority scheduling system created by the U.S. Department of State to help eligible FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket holders secure interview appointments for U.S. visitor visas. Unlike normal consular appointment calendars (which in some countries can have extensive wait times), FIFA PASS gives ticket holders an opportunity to schedule interview slots before the tournament begins. It is a voluntary, opt-in process, meaning fans must take action to participate.
Why It Matters
For many fans outside the United States, standard U.S. visa interview wait times can stretch for months — sometimes into or beyond the World Cup itself. FIFA PASS was created to help mitigate that challenge by making interview appointments available at a better pace to people who have already purchased World Cup tickets.
What FIFA Pass DOES
- Gives ticket holders access to U.S. visa interview appointments where available.
- Helps fans facing long interview wait times get scheduled sooner.
What FIFA Pass DOES NOT Do
- It is NOT a visa. A match ticket and use of FIFA PASS do not guarantee that a visa will be issued or that a traveler will be allowed into the United States. All standard eligibility, security screening, and visa adjudication rules still apply.
- It does NOT change admissibility standards, immigration law, or U.S. border policies — it only affects appointment timing.
Visa Basics for World Cup Fans
Here’s the simple breakdown of who needs what:
Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Countries
- Citizens of countries in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (like the UK, much of Europe, Japan, Australia, etc.) can travel with ESTA authorization instead of a traditional visa.
Other Countries
- Fans from countries not in the VWP (e.g., many in Africa, Asia, Latin America), or those ineligible for ESTA, must obtain a B-1/B-2 visitor visa if they plan to attend matches in the U.S.
Ticket Alone Is Not Enough
- Even with a World Cup ticket and FIFA PASS, those seeking a B-1/B-2 visitor visa must submit the DS-160 visa application form, pay fees, attend an interview, and otherwise meet all standard U.S. visa requirements.
FIFA PASS Q&A
Here are some of the most common questions fans are asking:
Q: Who is eligible for FIFA PASS?
A: Only people who purchased FIFA World Cup 2026™ tickets directly from FIFA and opt in to FIFA PASS are eligible for priority appointments.Q: Does FIFA PASS guarantee a visa?
A: Absolutely not. Priority interview access does not guarantee that a visa will be issued — applicants must still qualify under U.S. immigration law and pass security and eligibility screening like anyone else.Q: Can I schedule my interview in a country where I don’t live?
A: Generally, you must schedule your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of nationality or residence. FIFA PASS does not allow scheduling outside of that.Q: What if my ticket doesn’t show up in the FIFA PASS system?
A: People often need to enter the unique key associated with their ticket — especially if it’s held in someone else’s account — to correctly link it for FIFA PASS. Make sure all of the information inputted on the forms match as well.Q: What happens if I already have a visa appointment scheduled?
A: If you already have an appointment that’s before kick-off, you should keep that date rather than waiting for FIFA PASS slots, according to guidance from the State Department page that introduced the system.Official Source & Further Reading
For the authoritative list of questions and answers from the U.S. government, you can read the official FAQ page here: https://www.state.gov/fifa-world-cup-26-visas-pass-faq
Contact Us
If you need help with securing a visa appointment, or have any other questions, feel free to contact us directly at josh@wildeslaw.com.
Posted on January 27, 2026