With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino have unveiled a new program designed to make it easier for fans around the world to travel to North America for the tournament. The initiative, called the “FIFA Pass,” will give verified ticket-holders priority access to U.S. visa appointments, helping them bypass long backlogs expected ahead of the largest World Cup in history.
The announcement came Monday during a meeting of the White House FIFA 2026 Task Force, which includes officials from multiple federal agencies responsible for coordinating security, transportation, hospitality, and travel ahead of the event.
A New Travel Fast-Track for Millions of Fans
Speaking at the White House, Trump said he has directed his administration to “do everything within its power” to ensure the tournament is an overwhelming success, noting that the World Cup is projected to generate over $30 billion in economic activity across Canada, Mexico and the United States.
FIFA President Infantino praised the program as a major step toward guaranteeing smooth international travel.
The FIFA Pass will allow fans with valid match tickets to receive priority visa appointment scheduling, addressing concerns that millions of incoming visitors could overwhelm the country’s immigration systems.
For background information on U.S. visa requirements, fans can consult the U.S. Department of State.
White House Task Force Aims for “Seamless” World Cup Operations
The White House Task Force—launched earlier this year—includes senior members from DHS, State Department, Transportation, Justice, and Homeland Security. Its mandate covers:
- Visa access
- Border and stadium security
- Infrastructure coordination
- Tourism and international travel planning
The 2026 World Cup will feature 104 matches across 16 host cities, including New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium), Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field), Seattle, Atlanta, Dallas, and others.
Officials estimate five million visitors will travel throughout North America during the month-long tournament.
Marco Rubio Urges Fans: “Apply Early”
Florida Senator Marco Rubio advised fans worldwide to secure tickets and travel documents as soon as possible:
“Don’t wait until the last minute to do it,” he said, emphasizing that demand for visas will spike as the tournament draws closer.
World Cup Draw Set for December 5
The World Cup Draw, which determines group-stage matchups, will be held on Dec. 5.
This year’s competition will be the first with 48 teams, divided into 12 groups of four.
Tournament format highlights:
- Win = 3 points
- Draw = 1 point
- Loss = 0 points
- Top two teams + eight best third-place teams advance to Round of 32
In football terms, “draw” refers both to the group selection process and a tie game after regulation.
Who Has Qualified So Far?
As of Nov. 16, the following nations have secured World Cup berths:
Hosts: United States, Canada, Mexico
Asia: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Uzbekistan
Africa: Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia
Europe: Croatia, England, France, Norway, Portugal
Oceania: New Zealand
South America: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay
A full list of qualifiers is also available at FIFA’s official website.
A Transformative Moment for Soccer in North America
Analysts say the 2026 tournament will be a turning point for soccer’s popularity across the continent, potentially elevating the sport to the same cultural status as basketball, baseball, and American football.
The expanded tournament, the first hosted by three countries, is expected to deliver:
- Record-breaking global viewership
- Major infrastructure investment
- A surge in youth participation
- Long-term economic impact for host cities
What Comes Next
With the draw just weeks away and qualifiers wrapping up, Trump’s task force meeting marks another major milestone in preparations for what is expected to be the biggest sporting event ever held in the United States.
All eyes now turn to December 5 — and to which matchups could define the next chapter of global football history.
