"Hope You All Come": Trump Invites Global Fans To World Cup, Olympics As US Tightens Visa Rules

US President Donald Trump has extended an invitation to international fans for upcoming major sporting events hosted by the United States, during his address to the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York City.

In his speech on Tuesday, Trump expressed hope that "countless people from all over the globe" would attend both the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, which will be hosted in the United States. His invitation comes amid a noticeable decline in international travel to the US, with preliminary government data showing a 2.9% year-on-year decrease in overseas visitors in August, bringing the total to approximately 3.5 million.

This represents the sixth month this year with declining visitor numbers compared to last year, contradicting global tourism trends and disappointing expectations that 2025 would finally see US inbound visitor numbers exceed the pre-pandemic level of 79.4 million.

During his comprehensive address, Trump mentioned 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, adding, "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 has reported remarkable international interest, with more than 1.5 million ticket applications from fans across 210 countries received within just 24 hours of the presale draw. The expanded 48-team tournament, co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the US, will feature 104 matches across 16 host cities.

However, potential visitors face significant financial and logistical hurdles. Travelers from countries not covered by the visa waiver program must now pay a new $250 "visa integrity fee" on top of existing charges. These visitors also face lengthy wait times, with an average of 169 days for a B-1/B-2 tourism or business visa interview, according to US State Department data.

These restrictions particularly affect 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.

Even tourists from visa-waiver countries, primarily European nations, who aren't subject to the new fee, are reportedly reconsidering US vacations due to concerns about entry difficulties following several widely publicized border control incidents.

The administration is also considering tightening visa durations for students, cultural exchange visitors, and media personnel, as outlined in a proposed regulation issued in August.

The 2028 Summer Olympics is scheduled to be held in Los Angeles, California, in July 2028.