White House Official Defends US Visa Restrictions Ahead of World Cup

A White House official has defended the United States' visa and entry restrictions ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saying the measures are intended to ensure a safe environment for the tournament. The comments, reported by Anadolu Agency, come as the US prepares to co-host the expanded 48-team competition alongside Canada and Mexico next summer.

The official did not announce new measures but framed existing screening and entry requirements as a security precaution rather than an attempt to limit participation. The remarks follow months of concern from football federations, fans and travel groups over visa processing times and uncertainty about whether supporters from some countries will be able to attend matches.

The World Cup will be the first staged across three host nations and the first to feature 48 teams, drawing players, officials and travelling fans from every continent. Visa access for those groups has become one of the tournament's most closely watched logistical questions.

Critics have argued that tight entry rules sit awkwardly with the open, global character a World Cup is meant to project — a contrast some have drawn with Qatar's 2022 tournament, which introduced a streamlined entry system for ticket holders from around the world.