EXCLUSIVE: The White House will set up a Task Force to prevent visa chaos at the 2026 World Cup – amid concerns that millions of fans will be affected by US entry protocols

The White House is setting up a Task Force to prevent the 2026 World Cup from being engulfed in visa chaos.

Mail sports has learned that a specialized group will be formed by officials in the US capital amid concerns that players, support staff and millions of fans could be affected by red tape.

Despite the fact that the tournament will not start for another three years, those in power have now taken action to try and create a system that will allow those involved to travel smoothly.

It is clear that FIFA bosses are collaborating with their US counterparts in what will be a complex and time-consuming operation.

The tournament will be held in three countries – the US, Mexico and Canada – further complicating an already tricky situation.

FIFA – run by Gianni Infantino – is preparing for the tournament, which will take place in the US, Mexico and Canada in three years’ time

Thanks to the expansion, 104 matches will be played instead of the traditional 64 with an expanded participation of 48 teams. The increased number of participants and competitions further complicates matters.

Entry into the US is likely to be the biggest headache as obtaining a visa is a notoriously difficult and time consuming process for many that has been slowed down by the Covid pandemic.

Avoiding a scenario where players are unable to collect the necessary paperwork to represent their country will be key to planning.

In many cases, interviews at embassies are required and additional staff may need to be deployed to meet demand.

Should countries whose residents are not allowed to enter the country qualify, a special exemption will have to be granted.

There is also a potential for problems with those with criminal records whose entry can also be problematic. Apart from the issue of entry into each country, teams and their legions of supporters will have to cross the border without any notice as the tournament progresses to the knockout stage.

Concerns have been raised that players, staff and millions of fans could face red tape

The controversial increase to 48 teams has only complicated things

And there will be fears that those seeking to enter the US illegally will take the World Cup as an opportunity to do so. Some have questioned whether the US will follow the route Russia used when it hosted the World Cup in 2018. At the time, those who bought tickets were given a ‘Fan ID’ that acted as a multiple entry and exit visa to and from Russia.

The prospect of a specialist visa for the duration of the tournament has also been mooted, but that is highly unlikely given the need for legislative action.

Canada and Mexico already have systems in place that allow travel for some people holding US visas and there is confidence that this will play a key role in the task force’s planning.

The White House declined to comment.

A FIFA spokesperson said: “FIFA is working with authorities on all operational aspects related to the 2026 World Cup and more details will follow in due course. The focus is now entirely on the Women’s World Cup.’