FIFA Pass Statistics in US 2026 | Pass Application Process

FIFA Pass in the US 2026

The United States stands at the threshold of hosting one of the most significant sporting events in history as the FIFA World Cup 2026 approaches. With the tournament scheduled from June 11 to July 19, 2026, the country has introduced a groundbreaking visa facilitation system known as the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS). This innovative program represents a landmark collaboration between the U.S. Department of State, FIFA, and the White House Task Force, designed specifically to manage the unprecedented influx of international visitors expected during the tournament. President Donald Trump announced this historic initiative in November 2025 during a White House meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, promising the fastest visa clearance process for World Cup ticket holders in American history.

The FIFA PASS initiative addresses a critical challenge faced by millions of football fans worldwide who need U.S. visitor visas to attend matches. With 11 U.S. cities hosting 78 matches out of the tournament’s total 104 games, the United States will welcome an estimated 5 to 10 million international visitors. This voluntary, opt-in program went live on January 20, 2026, granting priority scheduling to confirmed ticket holders and dramatically reducing wait times that previously stretched to months or even over a year in some countries. President Trump emphasized that this would be a “once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase the beauty and the greatness of America,” while maintaining rigorous security standards and ensuring that America’s borders remain secure while showcasing the nation’s hospitality on the world stage.

Key Facts About FIFA PASS in the US 2026

Data Source: U.S. Department of State (state.gov), FIFA Official Communications (inside.fifa.com), January 2026

The statistics presented above reveal the massive scale of the FIFA PASS program in the US 2026 and its historic impact on international travel. The deployment of over 450 additional consular officers across U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide represents one of the largest staffing surges in recent diplomatic history, specifically designed to handle World Cup-related visa applications. This strategic deployment has already yielded significant results, with over 80% of countries worldwide now able to schedule visa interview appointments in less than 60 days, a dramatic improvement from previous wait times that exceeded over one year in certain nations like Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia. Secretary of State Marco Rubio specifically highlighted during the November announcement that countries previously facing “monthslong delays” would now have visa interview availability within 60 days once fans are registered in the FIFA PASS system.

The demand for FIFA World Cup 2026 attendance has shattered all previous records, with over 500 million ticket requests submitted during the 33-day Random Selection Draw period from December 11, 2025, to January 13, 2026. This translates to an average of 15 million ticket requests per day, validated by unique credit card data, representing unprecedented global interest in the first-ever 48-team tournament. With over 6 million tickets expected to be made available across 104 matches, the competition for seats reflects approximately a 30-times oversubscription rate. The U.S. State Department has created 300,000 additional visa appointments as of December 2025, with projections indicating this number will reach millions by tournament time, demonstrating the government’s commitment to facilitating legitimate travel while maintaining security protocols.

FIFA PASS Visa Wait Time Reductions in the US 2026

Data Source: U.S. Department of State Briefing (December 2025), Travel and Tour World, Business Today (January 2026)

The FIFA PASS visa wait time reductions in the US 2026 represent one of the most significant diplomatic achievements in preparation for the World Cup. Brazil, the five-time World Cup champion, experienced the most dramatic improvement, with wait times plummeting from over one year in 2023 to less than 60 days by late 2025. Andrew Giuliani, Executive Director of the White House Task Force on FIFA World Cup 2026, stated during a December 2025 State Department briefing that “wait times in Brazil were over a year in 2023; now it’s less than two months.” This remarkable reduction was achieved through the surge deployment of consular staff and the creation of hundreds of thousands of additional appointment slots specifically for World Cup travelers.

Argentina and Colombia, both football powerhouses with massive fan bases, also saw transformative improvements. Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted these countries during the Oval Office announcement with President Trump, noting that South American soccer nations “previously facing monthslong delays” would now access interviews within 60 days. The Trump administration’s commitment to expediting visa processing while maintaining stringent security vetting demonstrates a balance between facilitating legitimate tourism and protecting national security. These reduced wait times apply to all fans seeking U.S. visas, not just FIFA PASS participants, though ticket holders receive priority appointment scheduling that can further accelerate the process to as little as 7 to 10 days in some consulates depending on demand and capacity.

FIFA PASS Application Process Statistics in the US 2026

Data Source: U.S. Department of State FIFA World Cup 2026 Visas FAQ (state.gov), FIFA PASS Guidelines (January 2026)

The FIFA PASS application process in the US 2026 requires careful attention to detail and adherence to specific timelines. All current FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket holders receive notification from the FIFA ticket office with information on FIFA PASS availability and opt-in instructions. Future ticket purchasers receive the same opportunity at the time of purchase. The system is designed as a voluntary, opt-in process that allows ticket holders traveling to the United States to access prioritized visa interview appointments, particularly beneficial for fans in countries where U.S. visa interview wait times are currently longer.

Applicants must ensure that information entered in the FIFA PASS opt-in form exactly matches their DS-160 visa application information for successful verification and access to priority appointments. The U.S. Department of State emphasizes that a ticket is not a visa and does not guarantee admission to the United States. Secretary Rubio stated clearly during the White House announcement: “Your ticket is not a visa. FIFA World Cup fans can complete their visa interviews and show they qualify.” Every applicant undergoes the same thorough security screening and vetting as any other visa applicant, ensuring the safety of U.S. citizens, all World Cup events, spectators, and the integrity of U.S. borders. The Trump administration has made it clear that while the process is expedited, security standards remain uncompromised.

FIFA PASS Ticket Sales Statistics in the US 2026

Data Source: FIFA Media Releases (inside.fifa.com), WFAA Dallas, SportsTravel Magazine (January 2026)

The FIFA PASS ticket sales statistics in the US 2026 demonstrate unprecedented global demand for the tournament. The Random Selection Draw application period, which concluded on January 13, 2026, received over 500 million ticket requests from fans living in all countries and territories where FIFA’s 211 Member Associations govern the game. Each application was validated by unique credit card data, ensuring the accuracy of the 15 million requests per day average over the 33-day application window. This sets a new benchmark for demand in the history of world sport, far exceeding any previous FIFA World Cup tournament.

FIFA confirmed that apart from the host countries—the United States, Mexico, and Canada—the highest number of applications came from fans residing in Germany, England, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, and Colombia. Fans were notified of their ticket application outcomes by email no earlier than February 5, 2026, with successful and partially successful applicants automatically charged for their tickets. A partially successful application indicates that a fan receives the number of tickets requested to a match, but not all matches requested. Despite viral social media reports claiming mass cancellations, FIFA officials confirmed to WFAA that such reports “have no validity at all,” with the 500 million requests proving the opposite. The tournament’s global appeal remains undiminished as the world prepares for the largest sporting event in history.

FIFA PASS Travel Restrictions and Requirements in the US 2026

Data Source: U.S. Department of State Presidential Proclamation 10998, Sportico, Business Today (January 2026)

The FIFA PASS travel restrictions and requirements in the US 2026 reflect the Trump administration’s commitment to maintaining border security while facilitating the World Cup. Presidential Proclamation 10998, titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States,” suspends or limits visa issuance to nationals of 39 countries as well as individuals applying using Palestinian Authority travel documents. However, the Proclamation includes a critical exception for athletes, coaches, persons performing necessary support roles, and immediate relatives traveling for the World Cup, Olympic Games, or other major sporting events. This exception does not apply to fans or spectators, regardless of whether they are eligible for FIFA PASS.

President Trump announced on January 14, 2026, that his administration was suspending immigrant visa processing from 75 countries, including 15 nations with teams already qualified for the 2026 World Cup. These countries include Brazil (five-time champions), Colombia, Uruguay, Iran, Jordan, Uzbekistan, Haiti, Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. An additional seven countries on the list remain in contention to qualify. However, U.S. officials have clarified that this pause applies specifically to immigrant visas only and does not affect nonimmigrant visa categories such as those for tourists, athletes and their families, and media professionals. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem emphasized during the Oval Office announcement that visitors “know they are welcome to the United States. Then they would go home. And go home in a timely manner.” The FIFA PASS system continues to operate for all eligible ticket holders from countries where tourist visa processing remains active, though applicants from restricted nations may face additional scrutiny or ineligibility despite priority appointment scheduling.

FIFA PASS Economic Impact Statistics in the US 2026

Data Source: FIFA & World Trade Organization Study (2025), U.S. Department of State, Conference & Meetings World (January 2026)

The FIFA PASS economic impact statistics in the US 2026 demonstrate the tournament’s transformative potential for the American economy. According to a joint study released by FIFA and the World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat, the FIFA World Cup 2026 is expected to create 185,000 full-time jobs, deliver $30.5 billion in gross output, and contribute $17.2 billion to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP). These projections make the 2026 tournament one of the most economically significant sporting events ever hosted in the United States, surpassing the economic impact of previous major sporting events including the Olympics and Super Bowls combined over similar timeframes.

The influx of 5 to 10 million international visitors over the 39-day tournament will generate massive demand for accommodations, transportation, dining, entertainment, and retail across the 11 U.S. host cities: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle. President Trump emphasized during the FIFA PASS announcement that this represents “a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase the beauty and the greatness of America” to an estimated global audience of 5 billion viewers. The FIFA PASS system plays a crucial role in enabling this economic impact by ensuring that international ticket holders can secure visas in time to attend matches, book accommodations, and plan travel itineraries. The tourism sector anticipates a surge in business, with airlines, hotels, and travel agencies already experiencing increased bookings as fans prepare for the historic event.

FIFA PASS Consular Staffing Deployment in the US 2026

Data Source: U.S. Department of State Internal Cable (December 2025), VisaHQ, Yahoo News, SportsTravel Magazine (January 2026)

The FIFA PASS consular staffing deployment in the US 2026 represents one of the most significant diplomatic mobilizations in recent State Department history. An internal cable circulated to all U.S. embassies on December 4, 2025, instructs consular sections to place visa applications linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and other “showcase sporting events” at the top of their interview-scheduling queues. This directive creates an informal “FIFA PASS” category that consular managers must report on weekly, similar to the mission-critical processing used during the COVID-19 pandemic. The deployment of over 450 to 500+ additional consular officers to posts in Mexico, Canada, and key fan-source markets such as the United Kingdom, Brazil, Japan, and Germany ensures that the U.S. can handle the unprecedented surge in visa applications.

U.S. Travel President and CEO Geoff Freeman praised the administration’s efforts: “Deploying more than 400 additional consular officers and doubling staff at high-demand embassies and consulates will help speed visa processing—and the expedited process for FIFA ticket-holders adds needed efficiency without sacrificing security.” The State Department has made over 2 million additional visa interview appointments available specifically for FIFA World Cup applicants, a massive expansion of processing capacity that has already yielded results. In over 80% of countries worldwide, applicants can now schedule a U.S. visitor visa interview appointment in less than 60 days, compared to wait times that previously exceeded a year in countries like Brazil. This staffing surge, combined with the FIFA PASS priority scheduling system, ensures that international fans can secure visas in time to attend matches while maintaining the same rigorous security standards applied to all visa applicants.

FIFA PASS Visa Appointment Availability in the US 2026

Data Source: U.S. Department of State FIFA World Cup 2026 Visas FAQ (state.gov), Share.America.gov, Newsweek (January 2026)

The FIFA PASS visa appointment availability in the US 2026 offers multiple pathways for international fans to enter the United States for the tournament. An estimated hundreds of millions of international fans from Canada and the 42 Visa Waiver Program countries are eligible to travel to the United States visa-free using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). These countries include most European nations (United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal), as well as Japan, Australia, South Korea, Singapore, and others. Additionally, an estimated 55 million foreigners currently hold a valid U.S. visitor visa (B1/B2) with which they could travel for FIFA World Cup events without needing to apply for a new visa, provided their existing visa remains valid through the tournament dates.

For fans who need to apply for new visas, the FIFA PASS system provides priority appointment scheduling once they opt-in through FIFA.com and complete the standard DS-160 visa application form. The total cost for a new U.S. visitor visa application is $435 USD, comprising the standard $185 application fee plus the $250 visa integrity fee introduced by the Trump administration in 2025. Fans are strongly encouraged to schedule appointments before May 31, 2026, to ensure adequate processing time before the tournament begins on June 11, 2026. The State Department emphasizes that having a ticket and securing a priority appointment does not guarantee visa issuance or entry into the United States—all applicants must demonstrate they qualify under existing immigration law and undergo the same thorough security screening as any other visa applicant. Upon arrival, all travelers are subject to final inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at ports of entry.

FIFA PASS Ticket Sales Phases and Statistics in the US 2026

Data Source: FIFA Media Releases (inside.fifa.com), Spectrum News, Newsweek, FOX 26 Houston (November 2025 – January 2026)

The FIFA PASS ticket sales phases and statistics in the US 2026 reveal the extraordinary global demand for the tournament. By November 2025, FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that nearly 2 million tickets had already been sold through the first two sales phases—the Visa Presale Draw (exclusive to Visa cardholders) and the Early Ticket Draw (open application). The third phase, the Random Selection Draw, which ran from December 11, 2025, to January 13, 2026, received over 500 million ticket requests during the 33-day application window, translating to an average of 15 million requests per day. FIFA President Infantino announced that in just the first 15 days of the Random Selection Draw, over 150 million tickets had already been requested, making the tournament “30 times oversubscribed”—a historic record demonstrating how the game is “loved globally.”

Successful and partially successful applicants in the Random Selection Draw receive email notifications starting February 5, 2026, and are automatically charged for their tickets. A partially successful application means fans receive the number of tickets requested for a match but not all matches requested. The Last-Minute Sales Phase (Phase 4), scheduled for spring 2026 closer to the tournament start, will offer remaining inventory on a first-come, first-served basis, though it’s unclear how many tickets will be available or whether all matches will be included. FIFA has introduced a Supporter Entry Tier priced at $60 USD per ticket for each of the 104 matches, including the final, making the tournament more accessible to fans worldwide. With over 6 million tickets expected to be available total, and demand at unprecedented levels, the FIFA PASS system ensures that confirmed ticket holders can secure their visas in time to attend this historic sporting event.

FIFA PASS Security Funding and Technology in the US 2026

Data Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, White House Statements, Spectrum News (November 2025)

The FIFA PASS security funding and technology in the US 2026 demonstrates the Trump administration’s commitment to hosting the safest World Cup in history. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced during the November 17, 2025, White House Oval Office event that her department is providing $600 million in grants to the World Cup’s 11 U.S. host cities to partner on screening and drone detection technologies to keep the games safe. Secretary Noem emphasized: “We are communicating with all these mayors about what their responsibilities are. The safety and security of these events is No. 1 for us.” This massive security investment ensures that all 78 matches hosted in U.S. cities—including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle—will benefit from the most advanced threat detection and prevention technologies available.

The $600 million security funding specifically targets advanced screening equipment and counter-drone systems, addressing modern security threats that have emerged at major international sporting events in recent years. The Department of Homeland Security coordinates with the FBI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the White House Task Force led by Executive Director Andrew Giuliani to ensure comprehensive security coverage from visa application through post-tournament departure monitoring. Every FIFA PASS applicant undergoes the same FBI background checks and national security database screening as any other visa applicant, with no expedited security vetting despite the priority appointment scheduling. The U.S. government retains full authority to revoke visas even after issuance if new security concerns arise, and actively monitors visa compliance to ensure all visitors depart the United States in a “timely manner” after the tournament concludes on July 19, 2026, as Secretary Noem emphasized during the announcement.

FIFA PASS Security and Compliance Measures in the US 2026

Data Source: U.S. Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, White House Statements (November 2025 – January 2026)

The FIFA PASS security and compliance measures in the US 2026 reflect the Trump administration’s unwavering commitment to border security despite facilitating the largest influx of international visitors in American history. President Trump stated during the Oval Office announcement that the State Department and Department of Homeland Security have been working “tirelessly” to “ensure that soccer fans from all around the world are properly vetted and able to come to the United States next summer easily.” The FIFA PASS system provides priority appointment scheduling but does not reduce or bypass any security screening requirements, with every applicant undergoing the same thorough background checks and vetting procedures as any other visa applicant.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized this point clearly: “Your ticket is not a visa. FIFA World Cup fans can complete their visa interviews and show they qualify. We’re going to do the same vetting as anybody else would get. The only difference here is we’re moving them up in the queue.” Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem added that visitors “know they are welcome to the United States. Then they would go home. And go home in a timely manner.” This reflects the administration’s focus on ensuring that FIFA PASS beneficiaries comply with visa terms and depart the United States after the tournament concludes on July 19, 2026. The White House Task Force on FIFA World Cup 2026, led by Executive Director Andrew Giuliani, coordinates across federal agencies to ensure that security protocols remain robust while delivering a seamless experience for legitimate fans attending what President Trump has called “the greatest international sporting event in history.”

Disclaimer: This research report is compiled from publicly available sources. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is given as to the completeness or reliability of the information. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions, losses, or damages of any kind arising from the use of this report.

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