President Donald Trump speaks (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) The Trump administration has introduced a new program called “FIFA Pass” to expedite visa interviews for international visitors attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This initiative will facilitate faster visa planning for individuals who have purchased World Cup tickets through FIFA.The aim of the program is to balance strict immigration policies while accommodating the expected increase in international travelers to the football tournament. The term “passage” in the program name stands for “priority appointment scheduling system.” “If you have a ticket to the World Cup, you can have priority appointments to get a visa. You said it the very first time we met, Mr. President, America welcomes the world,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said during a meeting with Trump in the Oval Office.“I strongly encourage those traveling to the U.S. for the World Cup to apply for their visas immediately,” Trump said Monday. The State Department has deployed more than 400 additional consular officers around the world to administer visa applications. Currently, about 80 percent of global travelers can secure a visa within 60 days. The new system allows ticket holders who have purchased through FIFA to access a dedicated portal to expedite the processing of visa applications and schedule interviews with the Foreign Office.“We’re going to do the same vetting as anybody else. The only difference is we’re moving them up the queue,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.The World Cup will feature 104 matches across Canada, Mexico and the United States. Trump has prioritized the success of the tournament, and Infantino has made frequent visits to the White House ahead of the Dec. 5 World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center. Trump discussed the possibility of moving World Cup games from Seattle, one of 11 US host cities, citing concerns over the election of progressive activist Katie Wilson as mayor and the city’s status as a haven for migrants.“If we think there’s going to be any trouble, I would ask Gianni to move it to another city,” Trump said of Seattle.“I think safety and security are the number one priority for a successful World Cup. Today we see that people have confidence in the United States,” Infantino replied, citing strong ticket sales while avoiding direct comments about relocating host cities.
