Priority Visa Interviews for FIFA World Cup Ticket Holders Announced
ESPN News Services
November 17, 2025, 07:46 PM ET
Individuals holding tickets for the FIFA World Cup will receive priority for visa interviews before their arrival in the United States for the much-anticipated tournament.
This decision was revealed on Monday following discussions involving U.S. President Donald Trump, the White House Task Force, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The initiative, known as FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS), aims to help manage a stringent immigration process while facilitating entry for visitors attending the global soccer event.
Infantino expressed, “America welcomes the world. We have always indicated that this will be the greatest and most inclusive FIFA World Cup in history — and the FIFA PASS service is a clear example of that.”
The tournament is set to take place across eleven cities in the U.S., featuring 78 matches, alongside games in three cities in Mexico and two in Canada.
Shortly after tickets went on sale in October, FIFA reported that over 1 million tickets had been sold, and that Phase 2 of ticket sales began in late October for an additional million tickets.
Teams globally are in the final stages of qualification to fill the 48-team lineup, with host nations the U.S., Mexico, and Canada having secured their spots. The draw for group stages is scheduled for December 5.
President Trump encouraged those planning to attend the World Cup in the U.S. to apply for visas “right away.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that over 400 extra consular officers have been deployed globally to manage visa requests, and that approximately 80 percent of international travelers can expect to secure a visa appointment within 60 days.
Information provided by The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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