Football fans across the globe are expressing concerns about obtaining US visas for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, but experts remain optimistic that the tournament will proceed without major disruptions.
Visa Challenges Emerge as World Cup 2026 Approaches
Football circles are worried about obtaining US visas for the next FIFA World Cup after recent policy changes by the Trump administration. The tournament, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, 2026, will see the United States hosting 78 matches, with Canada and Mexico each staging 13 games in the expanded 48-team competition.
Concerns have grown because strict regulations, combined with long visa appointment waiting times, might create difficulties for international fans planning to attend the event. In some countries, visitor visa processing times have reportedly reached up to 600 days – a significant obstacle for football supporters.
“Many are suggesting that football fans should timely file their applications for US Visa for the world cup matches,” noted a recent report, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
The US State Department has responded to these concerns, stating that “there is still much time for fans to apply” and encouraging “prospective FIFA World Cup visitors who want US visas” to start the process.
Football Legend Dismisses Visa Worries
France football great Marcel Desailly does not believe visa issues will impact the World Cup. The 1998 World Cup winner shared his thoughts during a virtual interaction ahead of the Laureus World Sports Awards.
“Sport is above that. We’ve had World Cups in places with bigger problems than a few visa issues,” Desailly stated.
He referenced the 2022 Qatar World Cup as an example: “Look at Qatar! So much criticism before the tournament. People said ‘It won’t work’. But it worked. It was a fantastic tournament. The organisation, the safety, the atmosphere — all top level”.
Host Cities Prepare for Global Spotlight
As the tournament approaches, host cities across North America are busy with preparations. Dallas city officials have identified safety and transportation as top priorities.
“The World Cup will be the largest event Dallas has ever hosted,” Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert said during a recent council meeting. “As you can imagine hosting an event of this scale requires meticulous planning at every single level”.
In the Pacific Northwest, Renton, Washington announced it will host a national team at the Sounders FC Longacres facility during the tournament.
“The World Cup is the world’s largest event of any kind and it is hard to overstate the potential impact of a major national team calling Renton home for the duration for the tournament,” said Mayor Armondo Pavone.
Teams Secure Their Spots
Qualification matches continue across the globe as national teams compete for the 48 available spots. Currently, only seven teams have secured their places: the three host nations (United States, Mexico, and Canada), plus Japan, New Zealand, Iran, and Argentina.
Argentina became the first South American team to officially qualify after a commanding 4-1 victory over Brazil in their recent qualifier. The reigning world champions demonstrated their dominance with goals from Giuliano Simeone, Julian Alvarez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Enzo Fernandez.
In Europe, qualification matches started in March 2025 and will continue through November, with play-offs scheduled for March 2026.
Economic Impact Expected to Break Records
The economic benefits of hosting the World Cup are projected to be substantial. According to a report released by FIFA and the World Trade Organization, the tournament could contribute up to $40.9 billion to the global Gross Domestic Product and create nearly 824,000 full-time equivalent jobs worldwide.
For the United States specifically, the tournament is estimated to generate $30.5 billion in gross income, with a direct impact of $17.2 billion on its GDP.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has emphasized the massive scale of the event, describing it as “104 Super Bowls in a month” in terms of global interest and viewership.
As preparations continue and qualification matches progress, football fans around the world are encouraged to plan early, especially if they need to obtain US visas for what promises to be the biggest sporting event in North American history.
