Sports
US prepares for influx of international visitors ahead of World Cup with security at the forefront
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The United States’ 250th-anniversary will coincide with the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will see the majority of matches take place in the U.S. beginning in June. President Donald Trump has played a significant role in the early preparations for the tournament, launching a White House task force to focus on all aspects of organizing the global event, with a central focus on security for U.S. citizens and international visitors.
The president announced last month a new initiative aimed at allowing foreign visitors traveling to the U.S. to receive priority visa appointments. The “FIFA Pass,” as the initiative is being called, is expected to launch early next year, but the State Department is already working to accommodate the influx of travelers.
US President Donald Trump speaks as (L-R) the Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Secretary of State Marco Rubio listen during a meeting with the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on November 17, 2025. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP)
Matt Pierce, the acting principal deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of Consular Affairs, spoke to Fox News Digital ahead of Friday’s draw in Washington, D.C., to discuss the visa process and the State Department’s focus on welcoming international visitors while also ensuring the Trump administration’s emphasis on national security.
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“As the president has mentioned, this is going to be the best World Cup, the most successful World Cup in history. And the State Department is assisting with that by ensuring appointment availability for those who want to apply for a visa to come to the United States for the World Cup while not sacrificing at all the equity of our visa process and the protection of our homeland through the visa process.”
According to Pierce, the State Department is already at work to accommodate the demand of travelers to the U.S. next year. More appointments have been made available globally and wait times for appointments have been brought to fewer than sixty days in 80% of the world. That sentiment echoed Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s remarks from last month where he said that the administration has dispatched more than 400 additional consular officers around the world.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the State Department will halt all Afghan passport visas. (Getty Images)
“We’ve surged resources to the key posts to ensure that we have the capacity to handle those ticketed fans while still maintaining that rigorous vetting of visa applicants with that national security angle,” Pierce noted.
TRUMP ANNOUNCES ‘FIFA PASS’ VISA SYSTEM FOR MILLIONS OF WORLD CUP FANS HEADING TO AMERICA IN 2026
While much of the focus is on accommodating ticket holders, Pierce added that the primary concern is ensuring those visitors meet the criteria to enter the U.S.
“This is something that we take very, very seriously because the visa process, that’s the front door to the United States.”
“The State Department works with our partners across the government involved in the visa process to ensure that we vet anybody who’s applying for a visa and that these are folks that are eligible for visas, that we want to have these folks in our country,” he said. “And so we’re confident in our systems and tools that we put in place. And this is a huge focus of the Trump administration and we’ve really devoted a lot of resources to ensuring that that process is secure.”
U.S. President Donald Trump, joined by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Carlos Cordeiro Senior Advisor to FIFA for Global Strategy and Governance, and Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), delivers remarks during a meeting of the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the Oval Office of the White House on November 17, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
FIFA announced in October that 1 million tickets had already been sold since the official start of sales began earlier in the month. Buyers from the U.S., Canada and Mexico – the host nations of the tournament – topped purchase totals.
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The State Department is encouraging travelers who need visas to apply right away.
“This is a really great opportunity under President Trump’s leadership to showcase American greatness to the world,” Pierce told Fox News Digital. “And I think that this is a great opportunity for folks to come to the country during our historic anniversary for what will be the greatest World Cup in history. I hope the fans who come here will be able to see some of the sites across the country and to really experience all our country has to offer.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled ticketing information for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 Qualifier between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United, set to take place at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium on Tuesday.
According to the cricket board, E-Tickets for the high-stakes fixture can be purchased from tonight, with prices for all enclosures of the aforementioned venue set at Rs500.
Furthermore, the physical tickets will be available for sale from Tuesday morning and can be bought at the TCS Express Centre at the China Ground situated opposite the venue.
The PCB further advised fans with tickets to reach the stadium “well before the start of play” to avoid any inconvenience. Notably, the coin toss for the Qualifier will take place at 6:30pm as per the Pakistan Standard Time (PST), with the first ball to be bowled at 7pm.
Meanwhile, the ticket details for the remaining two playoffs, set to be played in Lahore, will be announced in due course.
The cricket board announced the ticketing details hours after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif granted approval for public attendance in all three playoffs of the ongoing PSL 11.
Taking to X, PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi said he had a meeting with the premier, during which the cricket board secured his approval for allowing fans in the stadia for the upcoming playoffs of the eight-team tournament.
“Just had a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and I’m pleased to share that we have secured his approval for public attendance in all three PSL playoff matches as well,” Naqvi wrote on the microblogging website.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled ticketing information for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 Qualifier between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United, set to take place at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium on Tuesday.
According to the cricket board, E-Tickets for the high-stakes fixture can be purchased from tonight, with prices for all enclosures of the aforementioned venue set at Rs500.
Furthermore, the physical tickets will be available for sale from Tuesday morning and can be bought at the TCS Express Centre at the China Ground situated opposite the venue.
The PCB further advised fans with tickets to reach the stadium “well before the start of play” to avoid any inconvenience. Notably, the coin toss for the Qualifier will take place at 6:30pm as per the Pakistan Standard Time (PST), with the first ball to be bowled at 7pm.
Meanwhile, the ticket details for the remaining two playoffs, set to be played in Lahore, will be announced in due course.
The cricket board announced the ticketing details hours after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif granted approval for public attendance in all three playoffs of the ongoing PSL 11.
Taking to X, PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi said he had a meeting with the premier, during which the cricket board secured his approval for allowing fans in the stadia for the upcoming playoffs of the eight-team tournament.
“Just had a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and I’m pleased to share that we have secured his approval for public attendance in all three PSL playoff matches as well,” Naqvi wrote on the microblogging website.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced on Monday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif granted approval for public attendance in all three playoff matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.
“Just had a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and I’m pleased to share that we have secured his approval for public attendance in all three PSL playoff matches as well,” Naqvi wrote on his official X handle.
However, Naqvi cautioned that the permission “comes with an important condition from his side that fans are strongly encouraged to use public transport or minimise fuel consumption while attending the matches, in line with the ongoing national austerity efforts”.
Just had a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and I’m pleased to share that we have secured his approval for public attendance in all three PSL playoff matches as well.
However, this comes with an important condition from his side that fans are strongly encouraged to… pic.twitter.com/SXtyhrIBpF
— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) April 27, 2026
“He also conveyed his best wishes to all four teams competing in the PSL playoffs. Looking forward to some exciting and entertaining cricket ahead,” he added.
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