2026 World Cup Fans Face US Visa Delays and Entry Rules

A ticket may not be enough

The report says some supporters with valid match tickets still may not secure travel permission in time.

• Visa interview waits are reportedly stretching from about 100 days in some cases to as long as six months in others.
• Even with a visa, travellers could still be refused entry at a US port of entry.
• That uncertainty appears to be hitting fans planning trips to host cities such as Dallas.

For football supporters, this is the harshest part of the process. Buying a ticket feels like the finish line. In reality, it may only be the first checkpoint.

Pass helps - but only to a point

The update says the Priority Scheduling System, known as Pass, can speed up interview appointments for some ticket buyers. But its reach appears limited.

• It reportedly applies to supporters who bought tickets directly from .
• It does not remove the need for a B1/B2 tourist visa where one is required.
• It does not guarantee visa approval after interview.

That last detail is the key one. Fast-tracking an appointment is useful. It is not the same as clearing the full immigration process.

Why the tournament should care

The report says more than 600 visa officers are working to meet demand, and that in nearly 80% of countries wait times are below roughly 60 days. That is a significant response, but major tournaments are judged on the margins: the late applicant, the resale buyer, the supporter who planned a once-in-a-lifetime trip and now may not make it.

If these concerns persist into the final countdown, the next big story will not be just who starts on opening night. It will be whether more fans can actually get through the gate - and across the border - in time to see it.