Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino have unveiled FIFA Pass, a new scheme for visitors to the World Cup next year to get interviews for visas more quickly. The scheme will allow those who have bought tickets for the tournament through FIFA get receive expediated visa appointments. This comes amid Donald Trump’s crackdown on immigration.
“If you have a ticket for the World Cup, you can have prioritized appointments to get your visa,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was in the Oval Office with Trump to explain the new system. Turning to Trump, he added: “You said it the very first time we met, Mr. President, America welcomes the world.”
Trump said that he strongly encourages travellers to the US for the World Cup to apply for a visa the “right way.” The administration has deployed over 400 additional consular officers worldwide to handle the demand, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In around 80% of the world, visitors can get an appointment for a visa within 60 days, he said.
Under the FIFA Pass system, those who have bought a ticket from FIFA will be able to go to a special FIFA portal to help get their application and interview prioritised at the State Department. “We’re going to do the same vetting as anybody else would get,” Rubio said. “The only difference here is, we’re moving them up in the queue.”
The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the US, with the final set to be played in America. Trump says that the success of the tournament is a top priority for him and Infantino has been a regular visitor to the White House as the football governing body prepares for the World Cup draw on 5th December at the Kennedy Center.
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