AssetID: 55276730
Headline: UNCAPTIONED: US Speeds Up Visa Appointments for 2026 World Cup Ticket Holders
Caption: US Speeds Up Visa Appointments for 2026 World Cup Ticket Holders. The US will prioritise visa appointments for travellers holding tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, President Donald Trump announced on Monday. The new PASS system will let ticket-holders request faster interviews at embassies facing long delays. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed that tickets do not guarantee a visa, but applicants will move ahead in the queue while still undergoing full vetting. The 2026 tournament — co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico — is expected to draw up to 10 million visitors, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said. Long interview waits in countries like Colombia, Mexico and Canada currently stretch from nine to 14 months. US tourism leaders welcomed the decision, calling it a practical step to reduce backlogs without compromising security. Questions remain over whether the priority system applies to fans from countries under Trump’s travel ban, including Iran, whose team has qualified for the tournament. Most travellers from visa-waiver countries — such as the UK, Japan and Australia — will continue to enter the US without visas. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT
Keywords: Current Affairs & Politics,World Cup 2026,PASS system,Donald Trump,Marco Rubio,FIFA,Gianni Infantino,visa delays,travel ban,tourism,international travel,immigration,visas
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