The U.S. Is Co-Hosting the World Cup. But Much of the World Can’t Attend.
Key Takeaways
- It has been reported that visa rules, consular backlogs and the limited scope of the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) will prevent many fans from obtaining travel permission to attend World Cup matches in the United States.
- Most ordinary fans need a B-2 tourist visa; citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries can use ESTA (an online travel authorization). Large parts of the world are not in the VWP.
- Long wait times at U.S. embassies and consulates, heightened security vetting and reduced consular capacity since the pandemic are major practical barriers.
- The restrictions affect fans, lower‑paid event workers and some media and support staff; teams and high‑profile personnel typically use different visa categories (e.g., P or I) and face fewer hurdles.
- For prospective attendees, the practical advice is clear: apply early, check embassy wait times, and consider alternate plans for Canada or Mexico matches if possible.
Overview
The U.S., along with Canada and Mexico, will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But access to matches in the United States will not be equal. It has been reported that visa requirements and operational limits at U.S. consulates make attendance difficult for large numbers of potential fans outside the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The VWP lets citizens of certain countries travel for tourism or business without a visa using ESTA, but many countries in Africa, South Asia and elsewhere are not included.
Visa rules and policy context
Ordinary spectators generally need a B‑2 tourist visa (or ESTA if eligible). Visas are issued by Department of State consular officers at U.S. embassies and consulates; USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) handles petitions inside the United States for other categories. Post‑pandemic staffing shortages, longer security checks introduced after 2001 and years of consular backlogs have led to interview wait times that can stretch months. It has been reported that these delays, along with higher denial rates for some nationalities and the costs of multiple‑step applications, will block many who want to attend.
Human impact and what it means for attendees
The practical effect is uneven access: fans from VWP countries can plan short notice trips with ESTA approvals, while fans from excluded countries must navigate time‑consuming visa interviews and potential denials. Lower‑paid event workers who would normally travel on temporary work visas (such as H‑2B for some non‑agricultural labor) also face capacity and eligibility hurdles. For journalists and team staff there are other categories (I for accredited media, P for athletes/teams) that generally offer clearer paths, but these do not help ordinary supporters.
What to do now
If you're planning to attend World Cup matches in the U.S.: check the U.S. embassy or consulate website in your country for current visa interview wait times; apply as soon as possible for a B‑2 visa if you are not eligible for ESTA; keep documentation ready to show ties to your home country and funds for travel; and consider attending matches in Canada or Mexico where your entry rules may differ. For event organizers and policy advocates, the situation highlights long‑standing limits of U.S. consular capacity and the political sensitivity around expanding the VWP — both issues that will shape who can realistically attend in 2026.
Source: Original Article