As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, excitement is building among soccer fans worldwide. However, an often-overlooked hurdle threatens to dampen the enthusiasm of millions: the severe backlog in U.S. visa processing. With wait times stretching beyond the tournament's kickoff, many fans from countries like India, Colombia, and even Canada and Mexico could face the devastating reality of missing out on this once-in-a-lifetime event. The U.S. travel industry, represented by the U.S. Travel Association, is increasingly voicing its concern over the potential economic and reputational impacts of this issue.

The United States, along with Mexico and Canada, is set to host the largest World Cup in history, with 48 teams participating. But the excitement is overshadowed by alarming visa delays. In Bogotá, Colombia, the wait time for a U.S. visitor visa interview has skyrocketed to 677 days, longer than the time remaining before the first match. The situation is not much better in New Delhi, India, where the wait extends up to 386 days.

These delays have caught the attention of both the sports world and U.S. lawmakers. A bipartisan group of 21 senators, led by Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Jerry Moran (R-KS), recently urged the Biden administration to prioritize reducing visa wait times. Their letter highlights the need for a "White House Task Force on Global Sports Events" to ensure that fans can attend not only the World Cup but also the upcoming 2028 and 2034 Olympic Games.

U.S. Travel Industry Raises the Alarm:
The U.S. Travel Association, representing the nation’s travel and tourism industry, has expressed serious concerns about the potential fallout from these visa delays. Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of U.S. Travel Association, emphasized that “the creation of this task force is essential for our success as we enter a mega-decade of sporting events in the U.S.” The association is particularly worried that the visa backlogs could deter millions of international visitors, impacting not only the World Cup but also other major upcoming events like the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Freeman added that a failure to address these issues could have significant economic repercussions. The U.S. travel industry, which is still recovering from the impacts of the pandemic, sees these global events as a critical opportunity to boost tourism and economic growth. However, the current visa situation threatens to undermine these efforts.

Industry Response:
Travis Murphy, CEO of Jetr Global Sports + Entertainment, stresses the urgency of addressing the visa backlog. "We bid on this," Murphy emphasizes, "We, as a country, said, please come to our country. We want to host this event." Yet, the complexity of U.S. immigration and the political sensitivity surrounding it make temporary solutions, such as expedited visa processing, difficult to implement.

FIFA has also expressed concern, stating, "We recognize the urgency of these matters, as well as the role they play in delivering a successful event that will draw millions of visitors from around the world." The international football association is working closely with U.S. authorities to find solutions, but the clock is ticking.