In a move blending sports diplomacy with immigration policy, former U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled a new visa fast-track system designed specifically for 2026 World Cup ticket holders. Announced Monday at the White House alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino, the Priority Appointment Scheduling System (PASS) aims to ease travel hurdles for the millions expected to flock to North America for the tournament.
Under PASS, anyone who purchases an official World Cup ticket will be eligible for an expedited visa interview, effectively allowing fans to skip the often months-long wait for U.S. visa appointments. Trump framed the initiative as both a logistical solution and a symbolic gesture, positioning the U.S. as an accommodating global host ahead of the continent’s first tri-nation World Cup.
Infantino hailed the initiative as a milestone for accessibility, calling it a “concrete example” of the tournament’s mission to be the most inclusive in FIFA history. He emphasized that a smoother entry process for fans aligns with FIFA’s broader goal of making the event welcoming to all, regardless of country of origin.
The stakes are high: more than six million tickets are expected to circulate across 16 host cities spanning the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. With such enormous demand, immigration bottlenecks posed a potential threat to international attendance, one FIFA has evidently moved to pre-empt with U.S. cooperation.
By intertwining visa policy with the world’s biggest sporting event, PASS represents an unusual fusion of entertainment, diplomacy, and national image. Whether it streamlines global fan travel or becomes a flashpoint in the U.S. immigration debate, the initiative marks a strikingly political turn in the road to the 2026 World Cup.
