United States | State Department adds FIFA PASS updates to its FIFA World Cup 26 webpage

The State Department updated its webpage, U.S. Visa and Travel Information for FIFA World Cup 26 Fans, with preliminary information on the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (PASS).

Key Points:

• According to the webpage, “FIFA World Cup ticket holders who have not yet scheduled their visa appointment and are applying in a location where the next available appointment (as shown in the wait times on our website) falls after kick-off should wait to apply until FIFA PASS appointments become available in early 2026. FIFA World Cup ticket holders who already have a visa appointment scheduled before kick-off should proceed with that appointment.”
• The FIFA PASS was initially announced by the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Nov. 17.
• The State Department says further information regarding FIFA PASS will be forthcoming in early 2026.

Additional Information: The State Department advises that “all visitors traveling to the United States are required to be in possession of passports that are valid for six months beyond the period of their intended stay in the United States, unless they are a citizen of an exempt country.”

Canadian and Bermudan passport holders do not require any additional authorization for U.S. entry as tourists.

Foreign visitors from any of the 42 countries who participate in the Visa Waiver Program can apply using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Visitors from all other countries are required to have a valid B-1/B-2 visitor visa.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.

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