The Trump administration has unveiled a new initiative aimed at streamlining the visa process for international travelers planning to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. The program, called “FIFA Pass,” will provide expedited visa appointments for foreigners who have purchased World Cup tickets through FIFA.

During a meeting in the Oval Office on Monday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino joined President Donald Trump to announce the new system, which stands for “prioritized appointments scheduling system.”

“If you have a ticket for the World Cup, you can have prioritized appointments to get your visa,” Infantino explained. He reminded Trump of their first meeting, adding, “You said it the very first time we met, Mr. President, America welcomes the world.”

Trump urged potential World Cup attendees to act quickly, saying he “strongly” encourages travelers to apply for their visas “right away” to ensure timely processing.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio detailed the administration’s preparations for the anticipated surge in visa applications. The State Department has deployed over 400 additional consular officers globally to manage increased demand. Rubio noted that applicants in about 80 percent of countries worldwide can currently secure a visa appointment within 60 days.

Under the FIFA Pass program, ticket holders will access a special “FIFA portal” that prioritizes their visa applications and interviews with the State Department. However, Rubio emphasized that security protocols remain unchanged.

“We’re going to do the same vetting as anybody else would get,” Rubio clarified. “The only difference here is, we’re moving them up in the queue.”

The 2026 FIFA World Cup represents a massive logistical undertaking spanning three North American countries. A total of 104 matches will be played across venues in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The tournament has become a priority for the Trump administration, with Infantino making frequent White House visits during preparation for the World Cup draw scheduled for December 5 at Washington’s Kennedy Center.

The announcement comes as the administration balances Trump’s traditionally strict immigration stance with the practical needs of hosting a global sporting event expected to draw hundreds of thousands of international visitors. The World Cup typically creates significant economic impact for host nations through tourism, hospitality spending, and global media exposure.

During the Oval Office meeting, Trump raised concerns about Seattle, one of the 11 U.S. host cities, following the election of progressive activist Katie Wilson as mayor. Wilson has previously discussed measures to protect Seattle’s status as a sanctuary city for migrants and implement policies to counter potential Trump administration actions.

“If we think there’s gonna be sign of any trouble, I would ask Gianni to move that to a different city,” Trump stated regarding Seattle’s hosting duties.

Infantino diplomatically sidestepped committing to any venue changes, emphasizing instead that “safety and security is the number one priority for a successful World Cup.” He also highlighted the strong ticket sales to date as evidence that “people have trust in the United States” as a host nation.

The FIFA Pass initiative represents an important step in preparations for the tournament, which marks the first time the World Cup will be hosted by three countries. The competition is expected to attract millions of spectators across North America and billions of television viewers worldwide, making efficient visa processing crucial to its success.

This marks the second time the United States will host the men’s World Cup, following the 1994 tournament, which set attendance records and helped popularize soccer in America. The 2026 edition will be the first to feature an expanded 48-team format, up from the traditional 32 nations.