Details of the US Embassy's announcement regarding 2026 World Cup visas
The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia has announced a significant and promising step for football fans, officially opening applications for U.S. visitor visas to holders of 2026 World Cup tickets. This move aims to facilitate travel for Saudi fans and residents of the Kingdom who wish to attend the world's most prominent sporting event, through the launch of the "FIFA PASS" dedicated to this purpose.
What is the FIFA PASS program and how can it be used?
The new program allows fans who purchased match tickets directly and officially from FIFA to book an appointment for a US visa interview (B1/B2 category) for business and tourism. The embassy has designated Jeddah as the location for these interviews, giving fans ample time to arrange their travel plans before the start of the World Cup.
The embassy invited all those interested in benefiting from this program to visit the official website of the US State Department and review all the information and instructions regarding the application steps via the dedicated link, to ensure that all the required conditions are met and the necessary documents are prepared for the interview.
Historical context: An exceptional edition of the World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup holds unprecedented historical significance, as it will be the first edition of the tournament to be co-hosted by three major nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Furthermore, this edition will see the number of participating teams increase from 32 to 48 for the first time, resulting in a massive increase in the number of matches and the expected influx of fans from around the globe.
This historic expansion requires massive logistical preparations, including facilitating entry procedures and visa issuance, which explains the launch of dedicated programs and fast lanes such as FIFA PASS to ensure the smooth movement of fans and avoid delays in obtaining entry permits.
Local and regional impact on facilitating travel procedures
Domestically in Saudi Arabia, this announcement is generating significant interest given the immense popularity of football among the Saudi population. With the rapid development of Saudi sports and the public's keen interest in supporting the national team and closely following international events, the simplified US visa process is encouraging more Saudis and residents to plan their travel and attend matches well in advance.
At the regional and international levels, this step reflects the commitment of the United States and FIFA to providing a seamless experience for international fans. This program is expected to alleviate pressure on US embassies and consulates worldwide, reduce the long waiting times that typically accompany major sporting events, and thus enhance the tournament's economic and tourism success while facilitating cultural exchange among the world's peoples.
