US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reminded football fans ahead of the 2026 World Cup tournament in the U.S that their match-day ticket are not visas.
According to Marco Rubio, match day tickets do not guarantee football fans admission into the U.S.
He revealed that the US will prioritise visa interviews for ticket-holding fans.
Rubio noted that fans who secure priority status could get an interview date within six to eight weeks, instead of waiting many months.
The last two World Cups in Russia (2018) and Qatar (2022) saw a match ticket automatically generate a Fan ID used like a visa; the US, however, will not adopt the same system.
Speaking at the White House on Monday, Marco Rubio stated, “Your ticket is not a visa; it doesn’t guarantee admission to the US,” Rubio said. “We’re going to do the same vetting as anybody else would get. The only difference here is we’re moving them up in the queue.”
He made this known during the announcement of the new FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System (PASS).
President Donald Trump, during the event, stated, “FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System (PASS) will allow World Cup ticket-holders with long wait times to opt with FIFA for a prioritised interview”.
Also, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who joined Trump and Rubio during the announcement, stated, “With this FIFA Pass, we can make sure that those who buy a ticket, who are legitimate football fans or soccer fans, they can come and attend the World Cup in the best conditions, starting from getting their visa”.
Gianni Infantino revealed he estimates about 10 million visitors could travel to the US for the global event.
In related news, Sports Minister Kofi Adams had earlier stated that the government would not support using government funds to send supporters to the World Cup.
The Sports Minister confirmed that the Government of Ghana will not allocate funds to transport supporters to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
According to Kofi Adams, if supporters want to go to the World Cup, they have to find their own resources, and the government could help facilitate their travel documents.
Kofi Adams cited the country’s economic challenges and the need to prioritise investment in local sports infrastructure.
He argued that while government funding is off the table, the Sport Minister encouraged individuals and corporate organisations to assist fans with travel arrangements.
Speaking on Peace FM Kokrokoo, Kofi Adams stated, “So far government has not given that indication that supporters will be taken to the World Cup. Well, I don’t think that it is something I will recommend”.
“We need money to build a Sports facility in Ghana, then we are going to spend money to transport supporters all the way to America in where that money could have been used to build multipurpose stadiums in some of the communities”.
He added, “If you want to go, find your own resources, and we can facilitate your travel documents, then you go, or we should mobilise from the cooperate, both private and public and give support to the fans”.
Also, the Government of Ghana, in the 2026 budget, has allocated GH₵150 million to the senior national football team, the Black Stars.
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson stated, “The government’s sustained investment in sports yielded impressive results, with the Black Stars qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup”.
“An amount of GH¢150 million has been allocated for the Black Stars to participate in the World Cup,” he added.
Watch the video below:
“Your ticket is not a visa; it doesn’t guarantee admission into the US.” – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reminds football fans ahead of the 2026 World Cup tournament in the US. pic.twitter.com/hrZnNfNNdw
— EDHUB🌍ℹ (@eddie_wrt) November 17, 2025