World Cup is just around the corner, and as you well know, the FIFA World Cup 2026 will take place in our country, and of course, the state’s efforts to ensure that supporters from each country can enter the country during the sporting event are titanic.
For that, Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained before the Homeland Security Subcommittee that double shifts and new technologies will be implemented in key embassies. The reason? To guarantee visas for everyone, according to them, their priority is that no one misses this event due to a possible bureaucratic delay.
United States, world sports host
The context is unprecedented: they hosted the 2024 Copa América and the 2025 FIFA World Cup. Now, with the 2028 Olympic Games on the calendar, the country faces a logistical challenge like never before.
But… meanwhile, the Trump administration is tightening its immigration policies, which makes the visa process more closely monitored than ever (and also more cynical than ever). Even so, the message the U.S. wants to show the world is that it wants to open its doors to the world… as long as the paperwork is in order.
The World Cup speeds up sports diplomacy
The soccer fever is already starting to be felt in the United States. And with it, a wave of visa applications from every corner of the planet. The government, aware of this, has decided to act before collapse hits.
More staff in key embassies
Rubio explained that double shifts will be implemented in many embassies to reduce wait times. He pointed to the case of Colombia as an example, where, without these measures, many applicants wouldn’t arrive in time for the World Cup.
In addition, reinforcement will be prioritized in countries with high ticket demand to avoid the chaos seen in other editions where hundreds of fans were unable to travel.
AI to speed up visa renewals
One of the most striking announcements is the incorporation of artificial intelligence in the processing of renewals. This tool will allow repetitive tasks to be automated and free up human resources for new applications, shortening deadlines without compromising security.
Is this the first World Cup in the U.S.?
No, the 1994 World Cup was already hosted here, in which, by the way, attendance records were broken and national interest in the sport was sparked. And yes, of course we remember how Roberto Baggio missed the decisive penalty that gave victory to Brazil, earning their fourth star on the jersey.
From 1994 to 2026.
Now, with a more robust infrastructure and the experience of having hosted other global events, the country is preparing for the biggest World Cup in history: more teams, more venues, more matches… and millions of people trying to cross its borders.
Trump and Infantino, in sync
President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino agree on one thing: the image of the country is at stake. A disorganized World Cup or one full of bureaucratic hurdles would be a disaster. That’s why legal and controlled access is now a matter of state.
The challenge of migration balance
Not everything is celebration. While channels are being opened to facilitate sports tourism, the same Trump government maintains its pressure on irregular immigration. This means that the filter to enter will be more exhaustive than ever, and the processes will be under stricter control.
The United States has sent a clear message to the world: come to the World Cup, but prepare ahead of time. With reinforcement in embassies and the use of AI, everything points to faster procedures. But also more rigorous ones.
So if you want to be there, screaming your team’s goal live and in person and not from the couch, the first thing you need to do is move now. Because this time, the World Cup starts at the embassy.