As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, Congress members express concern over visa processing delays that could hinder participation from athletes and tourists. A letter co-led by Reps. Sydney Kamlager-Dove and Young Kim underscores the importance of addressing current backlogs to ensure a smooth flow of visitors to the U.S. Over 55 House members emphasize that the success of the event, expected to attract millions and generate significant economic revenue, relies on the State Department's ability to efficiently manage visa applications, potentially impacting the U.S.'s global standing.
The success of these games hinges on the State Department's ability to efficiently process the visa applications of spectators, athletes and media, including having enough visa appointment availability and waiving certain interviews where appropriate.
Disruptive visa backlogs that prevent athletes from participating or fans from attending could damage our global image for generations, the letter went on to say.
Lawmakers said the World Cup could attract millions of visitors to the U.S. and result in approximately $3.75 billion in economic revenue.
Between FIFA 2026 and LA28 Olympics, Southern California will be on full display for millions of visitors and billions more people on television screens around the world.
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