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FIFA World Cup 2026 countdown: New York, New Jersey prepare
Alex Lasry, CEO of nan NYNJ Host Committee, discusses nan countdown to nan 2026 FIFA World Cup successful New York and New Jersey. He specifications plans for free instrumentality experiences crossed 5 boroughs and New Jersey, emphasizing nationalist transit solutions for 1.2 cardinal fans. Lasry confirms existent writer will beryllium installed astatine MetLife Stadium for nan event, highlighting nan world excitement for this awesome sporting event.
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Citizens of a prime group of countries who person purchased tickets to this summer’s World Cup matches successful nan U.S. will nary longer beryllium required to supply thousands of dollars successful visa bonds to participate nan state and be nan tournament.
On Wednesday, nan State Department confirmed nan Trump management is waiving a anterior instruction requiring visitors from Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia to station visa bonds of up to $15,000 to participate nan U.S.
The section imposed nan enslaved request past twelvemonth for countries it said had precocious rates of visa overstays and different information concerns arsenic portion of a broader migration crackdown. Travelers from astatine slightest 50 countries are taxable to nan enslaved requirement, but nan 5 aforementioned nations' teams person qualified for this year’s World Cup.
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The FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed extracurricular nan White House successful Washington, D.C., up of nan FIFA World Cup Draw connected Dec. 2, 2025. (Michael Regan/FIFA/Getty Images)
World Cup squad players, coaches and immoderate unit already had been exempt from nan enslaved request arsenic portion of nan administration’s orders to prioritize nan processing of visas for nan tournament.
STATE DEPT TO START ROLLING OUT FIFA PASS FOR FOREIGN SOCCER FANS LOOKING TO ATTEND WORLD CUP IN US
"The United States is excited to shape nan biggest and champion FIFA World Cup successful history," Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar said. "We are waiving visa bonds for qualified fans who bought World Cup tickets" and opted successful to nan FIFA Pass strategy that allows expedited visa appointments arsenic of April 15.
In its ain statement, FIFA said nan announcement shows "our ongoing collaboration pinch nan U.S. authorities and nan White House task unit for nan FIFA World Cup to present a successful, record-breaking and unforgettable world event" and thanked nan management for nan partnership.
President Donald Trump draws nan United States paper during nan FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw astatine nan John F. Kennedy Center for nan Performing Arts successful Washington, D.C., connected Dec. 5, 2025. (Michael Regan/FIFA via Getty Images)
However, nan management has barred travelers from Iran and Haiti, though World Cup players, coaches and different support unit are exempt. Travelers from nan Ivory Coast and Senegal look partial restrictions nether an expanded type of that recreation ban, moreover without nan visa enslaved exemption.
The World Cup originates June 11 and is co-hosted by nan United States, Canada and Mexico.
Some measures from nan management prompted Amnesty International and dozens of U.S. civilian and quality authorities groups to rumor a "World Cup recreation advisory" that warns travelers astir nan ambiance successful nan U.S.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino hands nan FIFA World Cup Winners Trophy to President Donald Trump during an announcement successful nan Oval Office of nan White House successful Washington, D.C., connected Aug. 22, 2025. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)
In a study this month, nan main defense group for U.S. hotels blamed visa barriers and different geopolitical issues for "significantly suppressing world demand," starring to edifice bookings for nan shot tourney that are acold beneath what had initially been anticipated.
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As of early April, nan number of World Cup fans affected by nan enslaved request was believed to beryllium comparatively small, possibly only astir 250 people, according to U.S. officials who were not authorized to remark publically and said connected information of anonymity. But they said that number was changing quickly arsenic much group bargain tickets and immoderate pinch tickets opt against traveling.
FIFA had requested nan waiver, which had to beryllium approved by nan State Department and nan Department of Homeland Security, officials said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Chantz Martin is simply a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
