World Dec 05 A supersized World Cup field begins taking shape at Friday’s draw The world’s top 11-ranked teams have all qualified, with No. 12 Italy among 22 nations competing in playoffs for the final six berths to be decided March 31. By Ronald Blum, Associated Press
Politics Dec 04 U.S. to prioritize visa applications by investors and fans visiting for World Cup, Olympics The Trump administration has instructed U.S. embassies and consulates around the world to prioritize visa applications from foreigners wishing to visit the United States to either invest in America or attend the 2026 World Cup, 2028 Olympics and other major sporting… By Matthew Lee, Associated Press
World Dec 04 WATCH: Trump attends final 2026 World Cup draw, awarded FIFA Peace Prize The president of the United States danced to the Village People, Wayne Gretzky struggled to pronounce the names of underdog soccer nations from Europe and the Caribbean — and the head of FIFA declared his governing body to be humanity's… By Noah Trister, Associated Press
Nation Nov 17 WATCH: Trump’s World Cup task force announces new visa interview system for ticketholders The Oval Office event was to announce a new initiative that would allow ticketholders to the World Cup to receive prioritized interviews for visas. By Associated Press
Aug 12 FIFA tests new human rights strategy for World Cup games, and advocates are skeptical By Charlotte Kramon, Associated Press With the 2026 games less than a year away, FIFA’s commitment to upholding human rights is still under scrutiny. Continue reading
Jun 06 What the Trump travel ban means for the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympic Games By Graham Dunbar, Associated Press There is significant uncertainty regarding visa policies for foreign visitors planning trips to the U.S. for the two biggest events in sports. Continue reading
Jun 13 U.S., Canada and Mexico win joint bid to host 2026 World Cup By Rob Harris, Graham Dunbar, Associated Press North America will host the 2026 World Cup after FIFA voters overwhelmingly opted for the financial and logistical certainty of a United States-led bid over a risky Moroccan proposal for the first 48-team tournament. Continue reading