Nov. 17 (UPI) — President Donald Trump on Monday announced an expedited visa processing system for foreigners attending next summer’s World Cup men’s soccer games in the United States.
Trump, appearing with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the Oval Office of the White House, described the FIFA Prioritized Appointments Scheduling System, or PASS, for visas before next summer’s soccer tournament.
“With this FIFA Pass, we can make sure that those who buy a ticket, that are legitimate football fans or soccer fans, they can come and attend the World Cup in the best conditions, starting from getting their visa, and then coming of course in the country to enjoy,” Infantino said.
Trump, who called it the “Fast PASS,” said that the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security are working to ensure that attendees are “properly vetted.”
The State Department has information on its website for fans traveling to the U.S. for the games.
“The United States will host the FIFA World Cup 2026, anticipated to be one of the largest sporting events in history, coinciding with our nation’s 250th anniversary,” Trump said on the website.
Though the first games are in six months, Trump said to apply for visas “right away.” Tickets went on sale from Oct. 27-31 after fans entered an early ticket lottery-type draw. The final ticket draw is Dec. 5.
Single ticket prices range from $60 to $7,875.
After buying tickets, fans can request an appointment, starting early next year.
The standard DS-160 visa form must be filled out along with the visa fee payment of $185 application fee plus a new $250 “visa integrity fee,” introduced by the administration earlier this year.
More than 6 million people are expected to attend the 48-team tournament from June 11 to July 19 at 16 cities in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The 11 U.S. stadium sites are in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Kansas City, Philadelphia, the San Francisco Bay area and Seattle.
The U.S., which is an automatic qualifier, will host 78 of the 104 matches, including the opener at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens and the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
Trump attended the FIFA Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium on July 13.
The World Cup draw with group assignments and schedule will take place on Dec. 5 at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
“The World Cup will also be an incredibly significant economic opportunity for countless American workers and businesses,” Trump said. “It’s expected to drive more than $30 billion. And it’s going to create nearly 200,000 jobs.”
The State Department plans to send several hundred consular affairs staffers to embassies in countries with teams that have already qualified or with hopes to make the field.
Normally, visa applicants face stricter screening since the immigration crackdown when Trump became president again on Jan. 20. They include social media checks and expanded restrictions.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the PASS system would not bypass legal requirements.
“Your ticket is not a visa,” he said in the Oval Office. “FIFA World Cup fans can complete their visa interviews and show they qualify.”
People from some countries face months of delays. But Rubio said those from South American cities, including Argentina and Brazil, will have visa interview availability within 60 days after they are registered.
Fans from countries in the Visa Waiver Program, including Britain, France and Germany, don’t need prior electronic authorization. Eligible foreign nationals are allowed to travel to the U.S. for temporary business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days without obtaining a U.S. visa.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said her agency is working with cities and FIFA to ensure orderly travel.
“They know they are welcome to the United States,” Noem said. “Then they would go home. And go home in a timely manner.”
Trump has wanted to deploy National Guard troops to cities he said have high crime and civil disobedience, including Los Angeles.
“If we think there’s going to be trouble, I would ask Gianni to move that to a different city,” Trump said.
