The U.S. Travel Association warns that the window for 2026 FIFA World Cup fans to obtain U.S. visas is narrowing.
According to the U.S. Travel Association, football fans who want to travel to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are having a difficult time getting U.S. visitor visas.
The group issued a warning that supporters might not be able to travel in time for the tournament since visa processing periods in some countries had skyrocketed to around 600 days.
At a press conference, Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, stated, “You are not coming here for a 2026 World Cup if you do not have your visa today.”
However, the U.S. State Department advised potential tourists that visa applications are still being accepted. The tournament will be held in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico from June to July 2026, and a representative stressed that the government frequently examines capacity and wait times in nations anticipated to compete.
Although the average wait period for a visa is 260 days, several nations have especially long wait times. Travelers from Colombia may have to wait up to 670 days for their visa appointments, while those from Mexico and India must wait 458 and 404 days, respectively.
Despite the delays, more than 30 million travellers currently hold valid U.S. visas and will not face issues attending the event. FIFA is also working closely with governments in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to ensure that fans needing visas can obtain them in time.
Prospective attendees are still encouraged to apply as early as possible to avoid complications.
