FIFA PASS: Here comes the good news for football lovers! If you were fearing the long the US visa wait ahead of the FIFA World Cup 26 in America, now is your time to go full throttle and apply.

Beginning January 20, US launched the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System, or FIFA PASS, for the forthcoming football fever extravaganza. Ticker holders can avail the rare opportunity now as the US State Department has designed the program specifically World Cup ticket holders who need US visas to enter the country for the event.

While the application process went live this week, the FIFA PASS was formally announced at a White House event in November 2025. FIFA President Gianni Infantino was in attendance alongside his longtime friend and US President Donald Trump, State Secretary Marco Rubio, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other White House Task Force members.

What is the FIFA PASS?

First and foremost, FIFA PASS stands for the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System.

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According to the official Inside FIFA website, it “is a voluntary, opt-in process that allows FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket holders travelling to the United States to access prioritised visa interview appointments.”

The US initiative under the Donald Trump administration is particularly aimed at helping ticketed fans in countries facing currently longer wait times for US visa interviews.

Thanks to the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System, those purchasing FIFA World Cup 26 tickets directly from FIFA to interview for their US visa before the tournament begins.

These matches are scheduled to take place in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Billed as the “biggest-ever edition of the global showpiece,” this year’s football showdown will see 104 games featuring 48 teams played across 16 host cities in the three aforementioned countries. The tournament is set to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

Basic guidelines for foreign travellers to US

International travellers coming to the US for the FIFA World Cup 26 must carry valid travel documents. Passports that are valid for six months beyond the period of one’s intended stay in the US (unless you’re a citizen of an exempt country) are a non-negotiable.

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Meanwhile, passport holders from Canada and Bermuda don’t require any additional authorisation to seek entry into the US as tourists.

Foreign travellers from the any of the countries included in the Visa Waiver Program can apply for the FIFA Pass by using the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA).

As opposed to the citizens belonging to the countries within the Visa Waiver Program roster, all other FIFA fans from across the world must have a valid US visitor visa, aka B1 / B2, to enter the US for the upcoming World Cup.

How FIFA PASS works: Steps detailed

Offering a detailed guideline on how the FIFA  Priority Appointment Scheduling System (PASS) process works, the US State Department issued a fresh news release.

Therein, the step-by-step layout determines that ticket holders should first log into their FIFA.com account and submit the FIFA PASS opt in form.

Thereafter, the visa application process must be completed. To accomplish this task, you need select your country of nationality or residence where you’ll be applying. Then, fill out the online DS-160 visa application form, upload a current photo and pay the visa fee.

The third step involves the applicant scheduling their visa interview appointment. Make sure to answer “yes” if (and when) asked if you’re a FIFA ticket holder. Once the information entered in the FIFA PASS opt in form aligns with your visa application information, you will be granted access to a FIFA PASS appointment.

However, a crucial point to be noted here is that simply scheduling an interview appointment via FIFA PASS does not guarantee visa issuance. Ticket holders will undergo the same screening process regular visa applicants are subjected to as a means to ensure that they qualify for the visa.