Amid Strict US Visa Rules, Trump Invites Global Fans To World Cup, Olympics

US President Donald Trump delivers remarks to the UNGA in New York City on Tuesday.

United Nations:

During his address at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, President Donald Trump extended an invitation to "countless people from all over the globe" to attend upcoming major sporting events hosted by the United States - the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics - while making no reference to his administration's strict migration policies that have reportedly discouraged international visitors.

According to preliminary US government statistics, overseas travel to the United States decreased by 2.9% year-on-year in August, with approximately 3.5 million visitors. This marks the sixth month of decline in international arrivals this year, contrasting with global tourism trends and contradicting forecasts that 2025 would finally see annual inbound visitor numbers exceed the pre-pandemic level of 79.4 million.

In his comprehensive speech, Trump highlighted that the United States will celebrate its 250th independence anniversary next year. "We will also be proudly hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and shortly thereafter, the 2028 Olympics," he stated.

"It's going to be very exciting. I hope you all come. I hope that countless people from all over the globe will take part."

FIFA, the governing body of world soccer, reported earlier this month that over 1.5 million ticket applications from fans in 210 countries were received within 24 hours of the presale draw for the World Cup. The expanded 48-team tournament, co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States, will feature 104 matches across 16 host cities.

However, traveling to the US may prove both expensive and complicated for many international visitors. Travelers from countries not part of the visa waiver program now face a $250 "visa integrity fee" in addition to existing fees, while also contending with extensive visa processing times. According to US State Department data, such visitors currently experience an average wait time of 169 days for a B-1/B-2 tourism or business visa interview.

These restrictions will particularly impact fans from countries that traditionally send large contingents to the World Cup, including Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil.

According to FIFA, global ticket demand for the tournament has primarily come from the three host nations, followed by Argentina, Colombia, and Brazil.

While tourists from visa-waiver countries - predominantly European nations - will not be subject to the new fee, industry experts suggest that some are deterred from US vacations due to concerns about border entry complications following several widely publicized incidents.

The White House is also considering restrictions on visa durations for students, cultural exchange visitors, and media personnel, as outlined in a proposed government regulation issued in August.

The 2028 Summer Olympics is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles, California, in July 2028.