The Japan Times - Trump unveils fast-track visas for World Cup ticket holders

EUR -
AED 4.301343
AFN 77.611852
ALL 96.514738
AMD 446.868239
ANG 2.096972
AOA 1074.017289
ARS 1697.403887
AUD 1.766826
AWG 2.11114
AZN 1.995739
BAM 1.956099
BBD 2.35916
BDT 143.251875
BGN 1.956777
BHD 0.442668
BIF 3463.32887
BMD 1.171229
BND 1.514231
BOB 8.094236
BRL 6.490135
BSD 1.171279
BTN 104.951027
BWP 16.475516
BYN 3.442526
BYR 22956.085522
BZD 2.35576
CAD 1.615886
CDF 2996.593612
CHF 0.931783
CLF 0.027188
CLP 1066.568306
CNY 8.246564
CNH 8.23796
COP 4460.039473
CRC 584.989331
CUC 1.171229
CUP 31.037565
CVE 110.281841
CZK 24.338023
DJF 208.581852
DKK 7.472562
DOP 73.371204
DZD 152.341263
EGP 55.872532
ERN 17.568433
ETB 181.965387
FJD 2.67474
FKP 0.874878
GBP 0.875489
GEL 3.144796
GGP 0.874878
GHS 13.453054
GIP 0.874878
GMD 85.500123
GNF 10238.563486
GTQ 8.975371
GYD 245.057422
HKD 9.113976
HNL 30.857712
HRK 7.53616
HTG 153.573452
HUF 386.728509
IDR 19556.008162
ILS 3.75619
IMP 0.874878
INR 104.915577
IQD 1534.434317
IRR 49308.735131
ISK 147.141933
JEP 0.874878
JMD 187.41862
JOD 0.830448
JPY 184.770768
KES 150.983056
KGS 102.424413
KHR 4700.717826
KMF 491.916529
KPW 1054.088924
KRW 1728.453141
KWD 0.359837
KYD 0.976149
KZT 606.152563
LAK 25368.873969
LBP 104891.417505
LKR 362.65538
LRD 207.321659
LSL 19.649501
LTL 3.458335
LVL 0.708465
LYD 6.34897
MAD 10.73654
MDL 19.830028
MGA 5326.813434
MKD 61.5594
MMK 2459.383675
MNT 4159.513473
MOP 9.388034
MRU 46.876158
MUR 54.052655
MVR 18.095929
MWK 2031.110162
MXN 21.121594
MYR 4.775145
MZN 74.845892
NAD 19.649501
NGN 1710.181964
NIO 43.106583
NOK 11.874743
NPR 167.921643
NZD 2.034444
OMR 0.451419
PAB 1.171279
PEN 3.944502
PGK 4.982761
PHP 68.60009
PKR 328.173614
PLN 4.207347
PYG 7858.199991
QAR 4.264489
RON 5.07775
RSD 117.127615
RUB 94.513433
RWF 1705.460433
SAR 4.392871
SBD 9.541707
SCR 17.757712
SDG 704.49846
SEK 10.855305
SGD 1.514755
SHP 0.878725
SLE 28.168488
SLL 24560.087729
SOS 668.202038
SRD 45.023799
STD 24242.072559
STN 24.503742
SVC 10.248565
SYP 12950.403148
SZL 19.647
THB 36.805911
TJS 10.793648
TMT 4.099301
TND 3.428524
TOP 2.820038
TRY 50.065939
TTD 7.950214
TWD 36.91585
TZS 2922.446274
UAH 49.525863
UGX 4189.639781
USD 1.171229
UYU 45.987022
UZS 14081.15027
VES 330.473524
VND 30817.959199
VUV 142.187246
WST 3.266982
XAF 656.057184
XAG 0.017442
XAU 0.00027
XCD 3.165305
XCG 2.111022
XDR 0.815925
XOF 656.057184
XPF 119.331742
YER 279.225162
ZAR 19.652061
ZMK 10542.469351
ZMW 26.501047
ZWL 377.135213
  • SCS

    0.0200

    16.14

    +0.12%

  • RBGPF

    0.0000

    80.22

    0%

  • GSK

    0.3200

    48.61

    +0.66%

  • CMSC

    -0.1200

    23.17

    -0.52%

  • NGG

    -0.2800

    76.11

    -0.37%

  • RIO

    0.6900

    78.32

    +0.88%

  • RELX

    0.0800

    40.73

    +0.2%

  • AZN

    0.7500

    91.36

    +0.82%

  • BCE

    -0.0100

    22.84

    -0.04%

  • BTI

    -0.5900

    56.45

    -1.05%

  • BCC

    -2.9300

    74.77

    -3.92%

  • BP

    0.6300

    33.94

    +1.86%

  • JRI

    -0.0500

    13.38

    -0.37%

  • CMSD

    -0.0300

    23.25

    -0.13%

  • RYCEF

    0.2100

    15.61

    +1.35%

  • VOD

    0.0400

    12.84

    +0.31%

Trump unveils fast-track visas for World Cup ticket holders
Trump unveils fast-track visas for World Cup ticket holders / Photo: Brendan SMIALOWSKI - AFP

Trump unveils fast-track visas for World Cup ticket holders

President Donald Trump on Monday unveiled special fast-track visas for people with tickets to the 2026 World Cup -- but his administration warned it was no guarantee of entry to the United States.

Text size:

The United States has promised a seamless experience for next year's tournament despite concerns that Trump's border crackdown could hurt fans.

"For those who intend to join us for the World Cup, I strongly encourage you to apply right away," Trump said as he announced the scheme in the Oval Office with Gianni Infantino, the boss of global soccer body FIFA.

Infantino -- who has repeatedly appeared at Trump's side since the Republican's return to the White House in January -- said the so-called "FIFA Pass" was a "very important announcement."

"If you have a ticket for the World Cup, you can have a prioritized appointment to get your visa," Infantino said.

"We'll have between five and 10 million people coming to America from from all over the world to enjoy the World Cup, and with this FIFA pass, we can make sure that those who buy a ticket, that are legitimate football fans or soccer fans, they can come and attend the World Cup in the best conditions."

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio however issued a warning to those hoping to come for the tournament.

"Your ticket is not a visa," Rubio said at the announcement. "It doesn't guarantee admission to the US. It guarantees you an expedited appointment, you're still going to go through the same vetting."

Rubio said ticket holders would get an interview within six to eight weeks under the plan but urged people to act now.

"Don't wait till the last minute," he said.

Trump has made the World Cup a centerpiece event of both his second presidency and the 250th anniversary of US independence next year.

But the giant sporting extravaganza has not escaped the political turmoil caused by Trump's hardline stance on a host of issues.

Trump has raised the possibility of moving games from certain host cities amid a crackdown on what he says is crime and migration in some Democratic-run cities.

The draw for the World Cup is due to take place in Washington on December 5.

FIFA will present a new peace prize on the same day, with widespread speculation that it it could go to Trump.

M.Fujitav--JT