FIFA has been forced to address the growing uncertainty surrounding the 2026 World Cup after Donald Trump’s administration indefinitely suspended immigrant visa processing for 75 nations.
The move has sent shockwaves through the sporting world, particularly as eight of the affected countries—Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Ghana, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, and Uruguay—are set to compete in the tournament.
In a press release primarily focused on record-breaking ticket demand, FIFA included a stark warning: holding a match ticket does not guarantee entry into the host nations. Fans are being urged to apply for visas immediately due to massive processing backlogs.
To help manage the crisis, a “FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System” (FIFA PASS) is expected to launch in the coming weeks to fast-track applications for ticket holders.
While travel visas for fans remain valid for now, the political landscape is becoming increasingly volatile. In the UK, a group of 23 cross-party politicians has signed a motion calling for the United States to be stripped of its hosting rights, citing concerns over international law and the recent seizure of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
For now, athletes from fully banned nations like Iran and Haiti are still expected to be granted entry under a “small subset” of exemptions for major sporting events.