FIFA World Cup 2026 US Visa Guide: FIFA PASS Priority Appointments Explained

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the bulk of the matches played on US soil. If you’re planning to be in the stands, sorting out how you’ll legally enter the US is just as important as snagging tickets. Here’s a clear breakdown of your options and how the new FIFA PASS priority appointment system fits in.

Key point: How you enter the US depends on your nationality. Many fans can travel visa-free or on ESTA, but everyone else needs a B1/B2 visa — and ticket holders can use FIFA PASS to grab a priority interview slot.

Three ways to enter the United States

1. Visa-free entry

Citizens of a couple of countries can simply show up with their passport, no visa required:

Canadian citizens
Bermudian citizens

2. ESTA (Visa Waiver Program)

Travelers from the 42 Visa Waiver Program countries can apply online for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) without sitting for an interview. This covers a large share of international fans, including those from the UK, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and most EU nations.

3. B1/B2 visitor visa

Everyone else — including fans traveling from China and other non-waiver countries — needs to apply for a B1/B2 visitor visa to attend the tournament. That means a DS-160, a fee, and an in-person interview.

The FIFA PASS priority appointment system

To help fans actually get their visas in time, the U.S. Department of State launched FIFA PASS (the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System).

What it is

FIFA PASS lets fans who bought their World Cup tickets directly from FIFA schedule a priority visa interview ahead of the tournament — jumping the standard queue so they’re not stuck waiting for a slot that arrives after kickoff.

How to apply

The process runs in three stages:

Opt in via FIFA. Log into your FIFA.com account and submit the FIFA PASS opt-in form.
Complete the visa application. Choose where you’ll apply (your country of nationality or residence), fill out the DS-160, upload your photo, and pay the visa fee.
Book your priority interview. Use the FIFA PASS system to schedule a priority slot.

What to keep in mind

It doesn’t guarantee approval. FIFA PASS only fast-tracks the appointment. You still have to pass security screening and prove you qualify for the visa.
Families can apply together. Spouses and minor children can use FIFA PASS, but they must interview alongside the ticket holder.
Extra staff are on hand. The US has deployed 400+ additional consular officers worldwide to handle the surge in World Cup visa demand.

Travel ban exemption for athletes and staff

Presidential Proclamation 10998 restricts visa issuance for nationals of certain countries — but it carves out an exception for major sporting events. Athletes, coaches, support staff, and their immediate family members traveling for the World Cup, the Olympics, or comparable events are exempt from those restrictions.

Passport validity

One easy-to-overlook rule: every visitor must hold a passport valid for at least six months beyond their intended stay (with some exemptions for certain countries). Check your expiry date now — renewing late could derail an otherwise perfect plan.

Quick reference

Your situation	How you enter
Canadian / Bermudian citizens	Visa-free
42 Visa Waiver countries	ESTA
Other countries (incl. China)	B1/B2 visa
FIFA official ticket holders	FIFA PASS priority booking

Still need an earlier interview date?

FIFA PASS helps ticket holders, but plenty of fans will still be booking a B1/B2 interview the standard way — and at busy consulates, the first available date can be uncomfortably close to the tournament. If you need an earlier slot, watching for cancellations is the proven path.

With Alert Me ASAP, you can stop refreshing the booking system manually:

Free Telegram alerts. Our Canada US visa alert channel flags newly opened dates in real time so you can pounce the moment an earlier one appears — no password required.
Chrome extension with auto-booking. Our US Visa tools monitor for earlier dates and book the instant one opens.

For the most competitive locations, our cloud monitoring runs around the clock at a controlled, safe request rate designed not to trigger AIS bans. And for peace of mind: we only book appointments — we never change your password or email, so your account stays fully in your hands. Have questions before the World Cup rush? Get in touch via our contact page.

FAQ

Do I need a visa to attend the 2026 World Cup in the USA? It depends on your nationality. Canadian and Bermudian citizens can enter visa-free, Visa Waiver Program nationals can use ESTA, and everyone else needs a B1/B2 visitor visa.

What is FIFA PASS? It’s the U.S. State Department’s priority appointment system that lets fans who bought tickets directly from FIFA schedule an earlier visa interview before the tournament.

Does FIFA PASS guarantee I’ll get a visa? No. It only speeds up your interview appointment. You still have to pass security screening and demonstrate that you qualify for the visa.

Can my family use FIFA PASS too? Yes. Spouses and minor children can use it, but they must interview together with the ticket holder.

How long does my passport need to be valid? At least six months beyond your intended stay, unless your country falls under a specific exemption.