The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off on June 11, with 48 national teams competing across 11 U.S. host cities through the final on July 19. Whether you need a visa, a bond, or just an ESTA depends entirely on your nationality. This guide covers who can enter visa-free, who needs a B-1/B-2 visa, who is currently subject to the visa bond program, and who may qualify for the World Cup-specific bond waiver.
- Step 1 — Do You Need a Visa to Enter the U.S. for the World Cup?
- The Visa Bond Program: What It Is and Who Is Affected
- The World Cup Visa Bond Waiver: Who Qualifies
- FIFA PASS: The Priority Visa Appointment System
- Separately: The Paid Expedited Visa Interview Pilot Program
- Travel Restrictions and the World Cup
- ESTA for Visa Waiver Program Countries: What World Cup Fans Should Know
- Timeline: Applying for a B-1/B-2 Visa for the World Cup
- The 11 U.S. Host Cities
- Official Sources
Step 1 — Do You Need a Visa to Enter the U.S. for the World Cup?
Your entry pathway depends on your nationality:
- Canadian and Bermudan passport holders — No visa or ESTA required to enter as a visitor under the applicable existing arrangements.
- Citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries — You do not need a visa but must obtain an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before departure. The current total ESTA fee is $40.27. VWP country designations can change, so confirm your country’s current status directly at esta.cbp.dhs.gov rather than relying on a fixed list.
- Everyone else — You need a valid U.S. B-1/B-2 visitor visa issued by a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence.
- Citizens of countries currently subject to U.S. entry restrictions — B-1/B-2 visa issuance may be partially or fully suspended. See the section below on current travel restrictions.
The Visa Bond Program: What It Is and Who Is Affected
On August 3, 2026, the Department of State published a final rule making permanent a B-1/B-2 visa bond program that had been running as a pilot since August 2025. Under the permanent program, consular officers may require nationals of currently designated countries to post a refundable bond of $10,000, $15,000, or $20,000 as a condition of visa issuance, with the specific amount determined by the consular officer based on the applicant’s circumstances. As of this review, the program applies to nationals of 50 designated countries.
The bond is refunded if the visitor departs the United States on schedule and otherwise complies with the terms of their visa. Bonded travelers must enter and depart the U.S. through a commercial airport of entry (including CBP preclearance locations) — charter air, general aviation, land, and seaport entry are not permitted under the bond program. A bond can be forfeited for violations including overstaying the authorized period
or seeking asylum or other humanitarian protection while in the United States
. Because the designated-country list and bond amounts can change, confirm current status directly through the official Department of State visa bond program guidance before applying.
The World Cup Visa Bond Waiver: Who Qualifies
The State Department announced in May 2026 that it would waive the visa bond requirement for two groups of World Cup travelers, ahead of the tournament’s June 11 kickoff:
- Team members — Players, coaches, and official support staff of competing national teams are exempt from the bond requirement, provided they otherwise meet all U.S. entry requirements.
- Ticket-holding fans from bond-subject competing countries — Nationals of bond-subject countries with qualifying World Cup teams who purchased FIFA World Cup tickets directly from FIFA and opted into the FIFA PASS system by the announced deadline of April 15, 2026, were eligible for the bond waiver. The competing nations affected by this waiver were Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia.
Important: If you missed the April 15, 2026 FIFA PASS opt-in deadline, you are not eligible for the World Cup bond waiver and would be subject to the standard bond requirement (now $10,000–$20,000 under the permanent program) if your nationality is on the designated list.
For travelers who remain subject to the visa bond outside of this World Cup-specific waiver, see the full guide to U.S. Visa Bond Requirements for current eligibility details and the designated-country list.
FIFA PASS: The Priority Visa Appointment System
FIFA PASS (FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System) was a collaboration between FIFA and the U.S. State Department that gave World Cup ticket holders faster access to B-1/B-2 visa interview appointments ahead of the tournament. Here’s how it worked:
- Step 1: Purchase FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets directly from FIFA at FIFA.com and opt into FIFA PASS through your FIFA.com account.
- Step 2: Complete the DS-160 visa application form online, pay the current $185 MRV visa application fee, and upload a compliant photo.
- Step 3: Schedule your interview. If your FIFA PASS information matched your visa application, you gained access to a priority appointment slot.
Critical disclaimers: FIFA PASS does not guarantee a visa will be issued. Every applicant still undergoes full security screening and vetting. FIFA PASS also does not waive travel restrictions, change eligibility rules, or exempt applicants from the visa bond outside of the specific World Cup waiver described above.
Separately: The Paid Expedited Visa Interview Pilot Program
Independent of FIFA PASS, the Department of State is running a separate Nonimmigrant Visa Expedited Appointment Pilot Program through December 31, 2026. Eligible B-visa applicants at participating posts only may pay an additional $750 per appointment (on top of the standard $185 MRV fee and a completed regular appointment booking) to receive an interview slot within 10 business days, subject to availability. The fee is non-refundable, the expedited appointment cannot be rescheduled, and payment does not guarantee visa issuance or faster adjudication — it only provides an earlier interview date.
As of this review, Mission Mexico (the U.S. Embassy and all consulates in Mexico) is the only participating location, effective July 21, 2026. The Department of State has indicated additional posts may be announced during the pilot period. This option is not available globally — check the official Nonimmigrant Visa Expedited Appointment Pilot Program page for the current list of participating posts before assuming it applies to your appointment location.
Travel Restrictions and the World Cup
Effective January 1, 2026, the United States expanded its entry restrictions to 39 countries under the applicable presidential proclamation, with varying levels of restriction:
- Full entry suspension — Immigrant and nonimmigrant entry, including B-1/B-2, is suspended entirely for nationals of the fully restricted countries.
- Partial restrictions — Some visa categories remain available for nationals of the partially restricted countries, but B-1/B-2 may be limited or subject to additional vetting. Individual circumstances vary.
None of the 48 competing World Cup nations are currently under a full entry suspension.
However, fans from restricted countries hoping to attend as neutral spectators may be unable to obtain a tourist visa regardless of FIFA PASS eligibility. Confirm current restrictions for your specific country directly with the relevant U.S. Embassy or Consulate, since the restricted-country list and category-specific rules can change.
ESTA for Visa Waiver Program Countries: What World Cup Fans Should Know
If your country is currently designated for the Visa Waiver Program, you do not need a B-1/B-2 visa or a bond. However, you must have a valid ESTA before boarding your flight. Key points for World Cup travelers using ESTA:
- ESTA is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first — if you already have one, check that it has not lapsed.
- ESTA allows stays of up to 90 days per visit — more than enough for the tournament window (June 11 – July 19).
- Apply well in advance at esta.cbp.dhs.gov — do not use third-party websites that charge extra fees for a service the official government site provides directly.
- Even with an approved ESTA, you are subject to inspection at the U.S. port of entry and can be denied admission by a CBP officer — ESTA does not guarantee entry.
- Attending the World Cup is a valid ESTA purpose (tourism/recreation).
Timeline: Applying for a B-1/B-2 Visa for the World Cup
If you need a B-1/B-2 visa for the World Cup, plan realistically around current appointment availability:
- Apply as early as possible. Consular wait times for B-1/B-2 interviews vary significantly by country and post — check current wait times directly at the official Department of State appointment system rather than assuming a fixed timeline.
- Use FIFA PASS if you were eligible and opted in before the deadline. Priority appointments through FIFA PASS were designed to secure an interview before the tournament.
- Processing after interview: Routine B-1/B-2 cases are typically processed within a range of business days to a few weeks after the interview, though this varies by post. Administrative processing under Section 221(g) can add significant additional time with no guaranteed completion date.
- If you are from a country subject to entry restrictions: Contact the relevant U.S. Embassy directly to understand your specific situation before applying.
The 11 U.S. Host Cities
Matches will be played across 11 cities in the United States: New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles, Dallas, San Francisco Bay Area, Miami, Seattle, Boston, Atlanta, Kansas City, Houston, and Philadelphia. The Final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
See also: How to Check Your US Visa Status Online 2026 | U.S. Travel Restrictions 2026 | U.S. Visa Bond Requirements 2026
Official Sources
- Visas: Visa Bond Program — Federal Register Final Rule
- Nonimmigrant Visa Expedited Appointment Pilot Program — U.S. Department of State
- ESTA Application — U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- Visa Waiver Program — U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Last updated: August 16, 2026.
