With less than a half-year to go before the kickoff of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, concerns are raised over whether US visa policies could limit international fan attendance at the global tournament. As millions of supporters prepare to travel to the United States, one of the three host nations alongside Canada and Mexico, long visa wait, travel bans and strict entry requirements have raised questions about how welcoming the world’s biggest football event will truly be. This comes after recent US heavily visa restrictions for many countries. For many football fans, the dream of attending the Wor

With less than a half-year to go before the kickoff of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, concerns are raised over whether US visa policies could limit international fan attendance at the global tournament. As millions of supporters prepare to travel to the United States, one of the three host nations alongside Canada and Mexico, long visa wait, travel bans and strict entry requirements have raised questions about how welcoming the world’s biggest football event will truly be. This comes after recent US heavily visa restrictions for many countries. For many football fans, the dream of attending the World Cup has collided with the US visa requirements.“I booked my flight and hotel months ago,” says Amahle Ndlovu, a South African fan planning to attend a match in Atlanta talking to The Philadelphia Inquirer. “But with interview waits averaging months in our country, I’m worried I might not even get a chance to apply in time.” Fans from nations outside the US Visa Waiver Program must secure a B-1/B-2 visitor visa which historically has long wait times at embassies and consulates. Although a new priority appointment system called FIFA PASS aims to ease processing for ticket holding supporters, it does not guarantee visa approval and doesn’t apply to fans from countries under travel bans. Officials have emphasized support for international visitors while maintaining strict immigration rules as Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State said to NEPYORK; "Fans holding World Cup tickets will receive prioritized visa interview appointments through FIFA PASS  but they still must meet all standard eligibility criteria."

Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State

Yet, fans from a handful of countries notably Iran and Haiti remain barred entirely under broader US travel bans, with no special exemptions for fans. FIFA has publicly pushed back against concerns that visa issues might hurt attendance, Gianni Infantino,the FIFA President said; "The FIFA PASS initiative demonstrates our commitment to making this the most inclusive and accessible World Cup ever." Moreover, FIFA insists the visa process itself remains a sovereign decision of the host nation, and it cannot mandate entry for visiting supporters.

Gianni Infatino, FIFA President

Fans are urged to apply early and enroll in FIFA PASS  while Travel and tourism bodies call for clearer and  streamlined procedures to avoid deterring attendance from major football markets in Africa, South America and Asia. Organizers acknowledge the balancing act between immigration integrity and welcoming a global supporting base.

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