The U.S. Travel Association has raised concerns that soccer fans hoping to attend the FIFA World Cup in 2026 may face significant challenges securing a U.S. visitor visa in time. With processing times extending up to 600 days in some countries, there is growing concern among fans.
Geoff Freeman, the association’s president and CEO, warned that those who haven’t obtained their visas by now might not make it to the event, which will be hosted across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico from June to July 2026.
However, the U.S. State Department has reassured that while it’s advisable for prospective visitors to apply now, there is still ample time to secure a visa. “We encourage prospective FIFA World Cup visitors who will need U.S. visas to apply now, but there is still plenty of time for fans to apply for their visas,” a spokesperson stated.
Freeman highlighted that current average wait times for a first-time visitor visa are about 260 days, with particularly long waits in certain countries. For example, in Colombia, the wait is approximately 670 days, which could potentially cause Colombian fans to miss the tournament. In Mexico, the average wait time is around 458 days, and travelers from India are facing waits of up to 404 days.
The State Department noted that over 30 million travelers already hold valid U.S. tourist visas, which would not affect their attendance. FIFA is collaborating with the Canadian, Mexican, and U.S. governments to facilitate visa issuance and ensure that those requiring visas for the World Cup will have access to them.
