Donald Trump announced on Monday from the White House the implementation of a "Fifa pass" aimed at accelerating the visa process for ticket holders for the 2026 FIFA World Cup (June 11-July 19) mainly organized in the United States.

Donald Trump's particularly aggressive immigration policy since his return to the presidency raises questions about the reception on American soil of the millions of foreign spectators expected for the next major football event, co-organized by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The system unveiled on Monday "will allow ticket holders with a long wait (for their visa) to request a priority appointment," Trump announced, once again accompanied by FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

"With this +Fifa pass+, we can ensure that those who buy a ticket, who are true football fans, will be able to come and attend the World Cup in the best conditions, starting with obtaining their visa," he said, estimating that "between five and ten million" spectators from around the world are expected for the competition.

"Your ticket is not a visa," warned US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

"It does not guarantee your entry into the United States," he clarified. "It guarantees you an expedited appointment. You will still go through the same verification process. We will conduct the same checks as for anyone else. The only difference is that we put them at the top of the pile."

The US Secretary of State also indicated that "400 additional consular agents" had been deployed around the world and that, in some embassies, staffing levels had been "doubled".

Since early June, the Trump administration has banned entry to the United States for nationals of twelve countries, mostly in Africa or the Middle East, and imposed restrictions on seven others. The White House assured at that time that teams participating in the 2026 World Cup would not be affected.

Due to visa issues, the Senegalese women's basketball team had to cancel a training camp in the United States at the end of June.

Sixteen host cities, including eleven in the United States, are to host the first World Cup in history with 48 teams.