Visa Hurdles Threaten 2026 World Cup Fan Attendance in the US
Published June 13, 2026
Long visa wait times for entry into the United States are emerging as a significant challenge for international football fans hoping to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup, potentially sidelining many despite having match tickets.
Published — local time around the world
As excitement builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, a substantial hurdle is emerging for many international fans: securing a US visa. While the tournament promises a thrilling six weeks of football action across 16 venues, the bureaucratic process for obtaining a visa is proving to be a formidable opponent, with wait times in some regions extending well over a year.
Recent data from the US State Department highlights the extent of this issue. For instance, a tourist visa applicant in Abu Dhabi currently faces an approximate 14.5-month wait for an interview, while those in Dubai can expect around 12.5 months. Fans in Bogotá and Lima are looking at roughly nine-month delays, with Mumbai and New Delhi applicants facing about seven months. These protracted timelines mean that even fans who initiated their visa applications shortly after their national teams qualified might not secure an appointment before the tournament concludes in July 2026.
This geographical lottery for visa appointments underscores a critical concern: possessing a match ticket and hotel reservations offers no guarantee of entry without the necessary travel authorization. The prospect of a 48-team tournament, the largest in FIFA World Cup history, attracting millions of visitors, places immense pressure on an already backlogged system. While some regions like Brazil and Turkey have seen wait times drop significantly, the disparity leaves many potential attendees in a precarious position.
Recognizing the potential impact on fan attendance, reports suggest that a dedicated fast lane, known as the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS), is being considered. This initiative aims to streamline the visa process for World Cup ticket holders, offering a glimmer of hope for those facing lengthy delays and ensuring that the focus remains on the football rather than administrative hurdles.