As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, concerns are growing among U.S. Congress members regarding visa processing for athletes and tourists. A bipartisan letter, co-led by Reps. Kamlager-Dove and Kim, emphasizes the need for timely visa approvals to avoid detrimental backlogs. They warn that failures could impact the U.S.'s global image and the potential for significant economic gains, estimating around $3.75 billion in revenue. They stress the importance of addressing these issues before the World Cup and the upcoming 2028 Olympics.
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.
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