The window to obtain a first-time visitor visa for the United States for the FIFA World Cup in 2026 is closing, according to the US Travel Association.
Speaking at a press event, Geoff Freeman, President and Chief Executive of the association said: “If you don’t have your visa today, you’re not getting here for the World Cup that’s taking place in 2026.”
Freeman said travellers were waiting 260 days on average for an interview appointment for first-time visitor visas.
The federal government, however, said it was working to assess the capacity and wait times in countries likely to play in the tournament.
“While we encourage prospective FIFA World Cup visitors who will need US visas to apply now, there is still plenty of time for fans to apply for their visas,” a State Department spokesperson said in a statement to Reuters.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held in the US, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. The opening match will be played in New Jersey.
