BENGALURU: As football enthusiasts worldwide prepare to witness legends like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Lamine Yamal in action, the United States is pulling out all the stops to ensure the FIFA World Cup 2026 becomes the most memorable tournament in history. With matches scheduled across 11 diverse American cities, authorities are implementing streamlined visa processes and crafting immersive experiences to welcome millions of fans.
Streamlined Visa Process for Ticket Holders
Fred Dixon, President and CEO of Brand USA, revealed in an exclusive interview that spectators holding World Cup tickets will benefit from expedited visa processing. "If you decide to buy tickets to the World Cup and you don't have your visa yet, there actually is a way to facilitate that process to identify yourself as a ticket holder, and then the State Department will work to facilitate the visa processing faster for those travelers," Dixon explained during the Brand USA Travel Week India event in Bengaluru.
Curated Experiences and Community Engagement
The tournament, co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada, kicks off on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City, with the US hosting its first match on June 12 in Los Angeles. Over the following month, football will captivate audiences from coast to coast. Dixon emphasized that each host city—from New York and Miami to Los Angeles and Seattle—is eager to showcase local culture through fan festivals featuring food, music, and community interactions.
He highlighted the significance of the Indian diaspora, with over 5 million Indians residing in the US, particularly in areas like New Jersey, New York, Atlanta, and Dallas. "The communities will come to life through the fan fests...you'll be in the communities with the locals or with your friends and the people you're traveling with," Dixon noted, adding that family reunions and cultural exchanges will be a key component of the experience.
Iconic Road Trips and Historical Celebrations
Among the curated experiences, road trips along the legendary Route 66 take center stage, coinciding with its 100th anniversary in 2026. "It's the 100th anniversary of the famous highway that connects California and Chicago...you're going to see a lot of themes around road trips, that freedom of the open road in America," Dixon shared.
The tournament also aligns with America's 250th anniversary, featuring nationwide celebrations. In New York, Fleet Week has been rescheduled to July 4th, promising a spectacular display of fireworks, naval fleets, and the world's largest gathering of tall ships along the east coast.
AI-Powered Travel Planning for Dynamic Itineraries
To assist fans in navigating the multi-city event, Brand USA has integrated artificial intelligence into its website, americathebeautiful.com. The AI tool helps generate personalized itineraries based on passion points like culture, history, or food, adapting dynamically as teams advance through the tournament stages. "Our new website has an AI component built into it to help with itinerary suggestions and planning...it's an inspiration platform to tap into the best of America," Dixon elaborated.
Unprecedented Ticket Demand and Global Appeal
With over 500 million ticket requests already recorded, the US aims to deliver an unparalleled spectacle. While Dixon expressed enthusiasm for welcoming global fans, he deferred questions regarding visa relaxations for supporters from countries like Haiti and Iran to the State Department.
As the countdown to 2026 continues, the United States is poised to transform the World Cup into a celebration of football, culture, and innovation, ensuring that every fan leaves with unforgettable memories.
