The United States government has rolled out an expansive, multi‑agency strategy as it seeks to reassure visitors of their safety and memorable hospitality amidst growing concerns over immigration enforcement during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
White House World Cup Taskforce Executive Director, Andrew Giuliani, also, announced that fans from countries listed in President Donald Trump’s Executive Order, including Iran and Haiti, among others will still be allowed entry to the US under specific exemptions.
“Teams will be able to come in,” Giuliani said, adding that there will be heightened visa scrutiny.
“Every visa decision is also a national security decision.”
Speaking with the press in Washington DC, Giuliani outlined unprecedented measures, namely enhanced security investments, and accelerated visa processing.
Describing his task force as “the largest whole‑of‑government sporting event operation ever undertaken in the United States”, he emphasized that the tournament will be both “safe” and “welcoming”.
Thousands of extra visas
On visa processing, the government has overhauled the system to reduce visa wait times with a view to making it easy for fans to secure visa appointments in good time to travel for the tournament.
“Over 80% of the countries around the world can secure an appointment for their visa in less than 60 days,” he said, adding that some countries have seen a reduction in wait times of up to 90%.
This, he said, is a result of the State Department’s deployment of hundreds of additional consular staff to help facilitate the processing of hundreds of thousands of extra visas ahead of the tournament.
A visa interview appointment fast-tracking system to be known as FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System is set to be launched in early 2026 to fast-track ticketholders.
However, Giuliani cautioned that expediting a visa interview appointment will not guarantee the granting of a visa.
He allayed fears about Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and discrimination at US borders, saying “Security and hospitality can and will coexist”, with a budget of more than $1 billion for enhanced security operations.
This includes $625 million for law‑enforcement support covering training, cybersecurity, and emergency response, and $500 million for counter‑unmanned aircraft systems to combat illegal drone activity.
Intelligence sharing
A multi-agency coordinating mechanism involving the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, and the National Weather Service are working with the 11 host cities daily.
Under this approach, the DHS is overseeing stadium and fan‑zone protection, while the FBI will establish an International Police Cooperation Center to share intelligence with participating nations.
Giuliani dispelled the notion that individuals will be targeted by US immigration restrictions, including being detained or deported under President Trump’s anti-immigration policies.
“There is a fictional narrative out there that the President is not welcoming to foreigners. He is. What he wants is for people to come legally,” he said.
“The President does not rule out anything that will help make American citizens safer.”
Meanwhile, the US government will not be involved in any form of price control for match tickets and hospitality packages, among other fans’ related costs.
“Private companies should be able to set the pricing the way that demand calls for,” Giuliani clarified, adding that there will be no special ticket quotas for residents of host cities.
