The Trump administration has unveiled a new initiative to help foreigners traveling to the U.S. for next year’s World Cup get visas more quickly. The program, called “FIFA Pass”, allows fans who have purchased tickets through FIFA to schedule expedited visa interviews. The system’s name stands for “prioritized appointments scheduling system.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who joined President Trump in the Oval Office on Monday, explained the new system. He said, “If you have a ticket for the World Cup, you can have prioritized appointments to get your visa.” Turning to Trump, Infantino added, “You said it the very first time we met, Mr. President, America welcomes the world.”
Trump encouraged travelers to apply for their visas immediately. “I strongly encourage World Cup travelers to the U.S. to apply for their visas right away,” he said.
More Consular Officers Deployed
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administration has deployed over 400 additional consular officers worldwide to manage the increased demand for visas. He added that in roughly 80 percent of countries, applicants can now get visa appointments within 60 days.
Under the FIFA Pass program, fans who purchased tickets through FIFA will access a special “FIFA portal” to prioritize their visa applications and interviews. Rubio clarified, “We’re going to do the same vetting as anybody else would get. The only difference here is, we’re moving them up in the queue.”
World Cup Across Three Countries
Next year’s World Cup will feature 104 matches across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Trump has made hosting a successful World Cup a top priority. Infantino, a frequent visitor to the White House, has been working closely with U.S. officials as FIFA prepares for the Dec. 5 World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center. The venue is now led by Trump loyalists.
Security Concerns in Host Cities
Trump once again raised the possibility of moving World Cup games if he believes a city is unsafe. He mentioned Seattle, where progressive activist Katie Wilson was recently elected mayor and has advocated for sanctuary city protections. “If we think there’s gonna be sign of any trouble, I would ask Gianni to move that to a different city,” Trump said.
Infantino responded carefully without committing to any changes. He emphasized, “I think safety and security is the number one priority for a successful World Cup,” adding, “We can see today that people have trust in the United States,” referring to the high number of tickets already sold.