Washington (EFE).— United States Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, announced this Friday that the country will “thoroughly” examine the visa applications of tourists who want to travel to US territory for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

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“We have an established process that we will implement for visa approval. Everyone will be thoroughly examined, but they will be welcome in this country,” expressed Noem in the Oval Office, accompanied by the American president, Donald Trump, and the FIFA president, Gianni Infantino. The official insisted that the United States wants to welcome families from all over the world to enjoy the event, although Trump clarified that some countries will have easier entry, while for others it will be “a little more difficult.” The president also announced that the World Cup group draw will be held on December 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C..

A World Cup Amidst Migratory Tensions

The sporting event, which will be held between June 11 and July 19, 2026, arrives in a context marked by Trump’s immigration policy. His administration has intensified raids against undocumented immigrants and recently announced that the status of more than 55 million people with valid visas is being reviewed, with the risk of annulment and deportation. These measures have raised concerns about their possible impact on foreign fans planning to attend matches on US soil, as well as resident immigrants who fear going to the stadiums for fear of arrest. The FIFA, for its part, downplayed these tensions last June during the Club World Cup held in the United States, assuring that the migration policy would not affect the organization of its tournaments. The 2026 World Cup final will be played at the MetLife Stadium, located on the outskirts of New York, where the Argentina national team will defend the title won in Qatar 2022.