Marco Rubio is the US Secretary of State
The United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has stated that holding a 2026 World Cup ticket does not guarantee entry into the country.
According to him, the ticket will help football fans secure appointments faster to undergo the necessary processes, but it does not replace the visa requirement.
He noted that fans would still go through the vetting process to ascertain their eligibility and intentions for travel, in order to avoid issues after the tournament.
Watch Black Stars’ first training session in Japan
“Your ticket is not a visa. It doesn’t guarantee admission to the US. It guarantees you an expedited appointment. You’re still going to go through the same vetting. We’re going to do the same vetting as anybody else would get. The only difference here is we’re moving them up in the queue. We’re moving them up faster,” he told the press during a briefing with FIFA officials.
The Secretary of State urged supporters to buy their tickets early to facilitate the visa application process and prevent travel issues.
“But my advice to everyone watching around the world is if you intend to come to the games, you have to have a ticket. You need to apply. Apply as soon as possible. You’re going to get your interview within, you know, six to eight weeks and move forward from there. Don’t wait until the last minute to do it,” Rubio added.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has pledged his full support for the tournament and directed embassies to give World Cup ticket holders priority in terms of appointments.
SB/EB
Meanwhile, watch the feature about Swedru All Blacks’ journey from the Division One to the GPL below
