As the United States gears up to host the FIFA Club World Cup next month. This includes aggressive attempts to ease the processing of visas for foreign attendees. In the wake of almost one-year visa waits for Colombians, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio vowed to increase consular services. For that, he wants to use artificial intelligence methods to make the application process much faster. The move responds to fans’ worries about travel disruptions as the move. This is particularly urgent as the U.S. prepares to co-host the next FIFA men’s tournament—this one set for June 2026—together with Mexico and Canada.
As it stands today, Colombians endure an unimaginable wait of 398 days to obtain U.S. tourist visas. With the World Cup around the corner, this delay has been causing major alarm. Tour operators have expressed fears that too many supporters will find it impossible to get a visa in time to see the matches. Rubio emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “If you haven’t applied for a visa from Colombia already, you probably won’t get here in time for the World Cup, unless we go to double shifts.”
Visa Processing Challenges
The Trump administration has been floating the idea of instituting double shifts for consular officers. This decision seeks to address the increasingly worsening backlog of visa applications. By reassigning foreign service officers to operate embassies and consulates around the clock, the administration hopes to increase processing capacity significantly. This change is particularly significant for those who’ve ever held a visa. They will benefit from quicker EAD processing with the new approach.
A broader, more troubling element of the administration’s approach is incorporating artificial intelligence into the visa application process. By using technology, officials hope future operations will be more efficient and cut down on wait times significantly. Human resources are working round the clock to address the visa backlog and make processing more efficient. In the interim, AI-driven solutions will improve system-wide efficiency as we get ready to welcome a new flood of travelers.
Concerns Over Travel Restrictions
Even with these SOVs, fears remain that the untested and cavalier policies of Trump-era immigration reform may create serious access barriers. Nationals from U.S. adversaries, including Iran—one of the few countries already qualified for the World Cup—may face additional scrutiny when applying for visas. Both fans and travel-related groups are concerned about the new political environment around immigration. They’re worried these policies will hurt attendance at this big tournament.
As preparations continue for both the Club World Cup and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, officials recognize the importance of facilitating international travel. The successful hosting of these major events hinges on ensuring that fans can obtain necessary visas in a timely manner. The administration’s proactive measures are a strong signal that they recognize the challenges and are committed to addressing them.
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