US Unveils World Cup Visa System, but Caution Ensues for Fans
The Trump administration has unveiled a fast-track visa system for millions of visitors expected to flock to the US for the 2026 World Cup. While this move aims to expedite appointment scheduling for ticket-holders, it's unclear whether fans will still face denial of entry despite holding valid match passes and securing faster slots.
According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a ticket does not guarantee admission to the country, but rather guarantees an expedited appointment with US authorities. This means that even if fans have purchased tickets and secured appointment slots in advance, they may still undergo thorough vetting before being allowed entry.
This warning is particularly pertinent for non-American citizens who make up the bulk of World Cup ticket sales, with officials from 212 countries and territories having already purchased their tickets. While many demand has been domestic, driven by interest from the US, Mexico, and Canada – co-hosts of the tournament – the sheer number of international attendees could lead to complications.
To address this influx, Rubio announced the deployment of over 400 additional consular officers worldwide, doubling embassy staff in some cases. This move is expected to slash visa wait times from up to a year to just 60 days or less in approximately 80% of countries, significantly reducing processing times.
Meanwhile, President Trump has made it clear that he will not hesitate to relocate matches from host cities deemed problematic, singling out Seattle and its new democratic socialist mayor. The city is set to host six games, prompting concerns over safety and the ability of local authorities to handle large crowds.
Trump's threat to deploy the national guard in Los Angeles if there are any issues with crime rates has raised eyebrows, highlighting the administration's deep-seated concerns about public order during the World Cup.
The Trump administration has unveiled a fast-track visa system for millions of visitors expected to flock to the US for the 2026 World Cup. While this move aims to expedite appointment scheduling for ticket-holders, it's unclear whether fans will still face denial of entry despite holding valid match passes and securing faster slots.
According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a ticket does not guarantee admission to the country, but rather guarantees an expedited appointment with US authorities. This means that even if fans have purchased tickets and secured appointment slots in advance, they may still undergo thorough vetting before being allowed entry.
This warning is particularly pertinent for non-American citizens who make up the bulk of World Cup ticket sales, with officials from 212 countries and territories having already purchased their tickets. While many demand has been domestic, driven by interest from the US, Mexico, and Canada – co-hosts of the tournament – the sheer number of international attendees could lead to complications.
To address this influx, Rubio announced the deployment of over 400 additional consular officers worldwide, doubling embassy staff in some cases. This move is expected to slash visa wait times from up to a year to just 60 days or less in approximately 80% of countries, significantly reducing processing times.
Meanwhile, President Trump has made it clear that he will not hesitate to relocate matches from host cities deemed problematic, singling out Seattle and its new democratic socialist mayor. The city is set to host six games, prompting concerns over safety and the ability of local authorities to handle large crowds.
Trump's threat to deploy the national guard in Los Angeles if there are any issues with crime rates has raised eyebrows, highlighting the administration's deep-seated concerns about public order during the World Cup.
they're gonna make us wait 60 days or less for a visa but what if we still get denied entry tho? 
i got my tickets already and i'm super hyped but now i'm worried like wut if everything goes wrong? 
meanwhile trump's all like relocation games 
and deploying the national guard in LA, idk man... that sounds like a recipe for disaster 
. What if some people can't get their visas in time? Will we see a lot of fans stuck outside the stadium, unable to watch the games? 
. And what about all those additional consular officers? Is that just a way to keep an eye on everyone who comes in? It feels like we're being watched a bit too closely 
.
The fact that he's willing to deploy troops in LA if there are any issues with crime rates raises some red flags about his approach to governance.
. What if there are security concerns or issues with public order? It's already got me thinking about what could go wrong... 
I mean, we're talking about over 400 more consular officers being deployed - that's still a lot of people to process all those visas! And what about the fans who don't have valid match passes or are from countries with longer processing times? Will they even get in? 
like, just because he's worried about safety in seattle doesn't mean he's gonna relocate all the matches 
400 additional consular officers worldwide won't make a difference if they're not prepared for the chaos that's gonna come with 6 games in one city...i'm still skeptical about this visa system, like how can you guarantee entry with a ticket and not be denied? seems fishy to me 