Indian football fans planning to attend the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the United States must begin their US visa application process immediately, as current wait times updated by US consulates across India roughly stretch up to a year. With the tournament expected to draw millions of international visitors, timely visa planning is essential to avoid last-minute hurdles.
US visa wait times across Indian cities
According to the timelines given by the US Department of State, wait times for B-1/B-2 tourist visa appointments are significantly long. US has been struggling to cut the visa wait times, that first spiked during the covid pandemic. Since then, the US government has taken multiple sections to help reduce the delay in getting visa appointments.
How long is the wait in your city?
The B-1/B-2 visas are required for Indian nationals traveling to the US for tourism, which includes attending events such as the FIFA World Cup. The visa process typically involves filling out the DS-160 form online, paying the visa fee, and attending an in-person interview at a US consulate or embassy. The availability of appointment slots can vary, and wait times are influenced by factors such as post-specific demand, staffing, and local processing capacity.
Visa appointments should be scheduled well in advance. According to the US Department of State, wait times for interview appointments vary by location and depend on factors such as consulate staffing and workload.
FIFA World Cup 2026
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the largest edition of the tournament to date. For the first time, the event will feature 48 teams, up from 32 in previous editions. It will be jointly hosted by three countries: the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
“This important event, taking place during the momentous occasion of the 250th anniversary of our country, presents an opportunity to showcase the nation’s pride and hospitality, while promoting economic growth and tourism through sport,” said US President Donald Trump. “My Administration will support preparations through a coordinated government effort.”
The US will host 60 of the total 104 matches, including all knockout games from the quarter-finals onwards. The final will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026.
Host cities in the US include:
Mexico will host matches in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. Canada’s venues include Toronto and Vancouver.
The tournament is expected to attract millions of international visitors, making early visa processing essential. Fans from India planning to attend should consider applying through cities with comparatively shorter wait times or be prepared for long lead times in appointment scheduling.
US visa wait times across Indian cities
According to the timelines given by the US Department of State, wait times for B-1/B-2 tourist visa appointments are significantly long. US has been struggling to cut the visa wait times, that first spiked during the covid pandemic. Since then, the US government has taken multiple sections to help reduce the delay in getting visa appointments.
How long is the wait in your city?
The B-1/B-2 visas are required for Indian nationals traveling to the US for tourism, which includes attending events such as the FIFA World Cup. The visa process typically involves filling out the DS-160 form online, paying the visa fee, and attending an in-person interview at a US consulate or embassy. The availability of appointment slots can vary, and wait times are influenced by factors such as post-specific demand, staffing, and local processing capacity.
Visa appointments should be scheduled well in advance. According to the US Department of State, wait times for interview appointments vary by location and depend on factors such as consulate staffing and workload.
FIFA World Cup 2026
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the largest edition of the tournament to date. For the first time, the event will feature 48 teams, up from 32 in previous editions. It will be jointly hosted by three countries: the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
“This important event, taking place during the momentous occasion of the 250th anniversary of our country, presents an opportunity to showcase the nation’s pride and hospitality, while promoting economic growth and tourism through sport,” said US President Donald Trump. “My Administration will support preparations through a coordinated government effort.”
The US will host 60 of the total 104 matches, including all knockout games from the quarter-finals onwards. The final will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026.
Host cities in the US include:
- Atlanta
- Boston
- Dalla
- Houston
- Kansas City
- Los Angeles
- Miami
- New York/New Jersey
- Philadelphia
- San Francisco Bay Area
- Seattle
Mexico will host matches in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. Canada’s venues include Toronto and Vancouver.
The tournament is expected to attract millions of international visitors, making early visa processing essential. Fans from India planning to attend should consider applying through cities with comparatively shorter wait times or be prepared for long lead times in appointment scheduling.
You may also like
'Price of anti-semitism': Benjamin Netanyahu on fatal shooting of Israeli embassy staffers in Washington
Big Change In Indian Railways, Waiting Tickets Will No Longer Be Upgraded To First AC
Furious Roy Keane points finger at Man Utd star for role in Brennan Johnson goal
'Not Just US, Many Countries Reached Out': EAM Jaishankar On Donald Trump's India-Pakistan 'Ceasefire' Claims (Video)
Vaishnavi Hagawane Suicide In Pune: MNS Leader Shalini Thackeray Demands Ajit Pawar's Resignation
