World Cup
Many fans risk missing 2026 World Cup as Visa window for visitors is closing
The window to obtain a first-time U.S. visitor visa for the FIFA World Cup in 2026 is closing for some soccer fans, the U.S. Travel Association said at a press event this week, though the federal government says travelers still have time.
Visitor visa processing times have risen to 600 days for travelers in some countries, a big hurdle for fans who want to support one of the yet-to-be-determined 48 teams set to compete in the globally watched sporting event.
“If you don’t have your visa today, you’re not getting here for a World Cup that’s taking place in 2026,” Geoff Freeman, president and chief executive of the non-profit U.S. Travel Association told a group of reporters.
The U.S. State Department says the situation is not that dire, as it regularly assesses capacity and wait times in countries likely to play in the tournament, scheduled from June to July 2026 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“While we encourage prospective FIFA World Cup visitors who will need U.S. visas to apply now, there is still plenty of time for fans to apply for their visas,” a State Department spokesperson said in a statement.
Travelers are waiting on average 260 days for an appointment to interview for a first-time visitor visa, Freeman said. Average wait times in Colombia are currently about 670 days, according to the association, which would mean those visitors would miss the tournament.
In Mexico, the average wait is 458 days, and travelers from India are facing waits of up to 404 days for an interview.
More than 30 million travelers hold valid U.S. tourist visas and therefore would not have a problem if they wanted to attend the event, the State Department said.
FIFA is working with the Canadian, Mexican and U.S. governments to ensure that those who need visas can get them, a spokesperson said.
-Reuters
As preparations intensify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, health authorities in Toronto are taking a creative approach to public awareness by distributing free football-themed condoms ahead of the tournament.
Toronto Public Health (TPH) announced that it will offer limited-edition condoms inspired by football as part of efforts to promote safer sex during the global football spectacle, which runs from June 11 to July 19 next year.
More than 300,000 visitors are expected in Toronto during the tournament, prompting city officials to combine football excitement with sexual health education through the CondomTO initiative.
The special-edition condoms feature six football-themed designs and slogans, including “Block those shots!”, “What a finish!” and “Peaches & Cream.” One of the designs reportedly displays a peach and eggplant positioned in front of a football goalpost.
According to Toronto Public Health, the condoms and other safer-sex supplies will be available at four TPH-operated sexual health clinics across the city.
Health officials said the initiative is aimed at encouraging responsible sexual behaviour, reducing stigma surrounding sexual health discussions and connecting residents and visitors with available healthcare services.
“Studies show that using a condom every time you have oral, anal or vaginal sex decreases the risk of sexually transmitted and bloodborne infections, HIV and/or unplanned pregnancy,” Toronto Public Health stated on its website.
Canada will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico in the first-ever 48-team edition of the tournament.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Basketball legend Magic Johnson has rallied football fans across the globe to choose Los Angeles as their preferred destination for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing the city as the “sports capital of the world.”
Speaking during a “30 Days to FIFA World Cup 2026” event held at SoFi Stadium on Tuesday, the former NBA superstar said Los Angeles was preparing to offer visitors much more than football matches during the global tournament.
“The world game is coming to the greatest city in the world,” Johnson declared at the ceremony, which was organised to promote both the World Cup and Los Angeles’ reputation as a major global sporting and entertainment centre.
Johnson, a five-time NBA champion and three-time Most Valuable Player, noted that the city was entering a historic sporting era, with the World Cup, the NFL Super Bowl and the 2028 Summer Olympics all scheduled within the next few years.
Los Angeles will stage eight World Cup matches involving teams such as the United States, Paraguay, Iran, New Zealand, Switzerland, Bosnia, Belgium and Turkey.
The 2026 tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will feature an expanded 48-team format across 16 host cities in North America.
According to Kathryn Schloessman, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission and head of the local host committee, supporters can expect a “giant soccer carnival” across the city throughout the competition.
Organisers also stressed the availability of affordable transportation, highlighting stadium transit fares costing as little as $1.75 — a sharp contrast to transportation and event pricing concerns raised in some East Coast host cities.
Despite the excitement surrounding the tournament, debate has continued over the World Cup’s economic and social impact. Critics have expressed fears about rising housing costs, pressure on public services, homelessness and the financial burden on taxpayers.
Los Angeles is also scheduled to host the U.S. opening ceremony of the World Cup on June 12, with pop star Katy Perry expected to headline the entertainment programme. The event follows opening celebrations in Mexico City and Toronto, reflecting the tournament’s tri-nation hosting arrangement.
Although internationally recognised for franchises such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers, the city has also enjoyed a rich football culture through the LA Galaxy, which previously attracted stars such as David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Steven Gerrard.
To further boost excitement ahead of the tournament, the Los Angeles World Cup committee has enlisted celebrities including Snoop Dogg, Eva Longoria and Will Ferrell as community ambassadors.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
By Kunle Solaja.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has unveiled Google Gemini as the official Artificial Intelligence partner of Morocco’s national football team in a move aimed at boosting fan engagement and enhancing the digital presence of the Atlas Lions.
The partnership, announced ahead of a busy football calendar in May, June and July, will see the federation collaborate with Google Gemini to deploy advanced AI technologies in support of the Moroccan national team.
According to the federation, the strategic alliance is designed to strengthen communication channels with supporters, promote Moroccan football talent both locally and internationally, and showcase the country’s deep passion for the game to a global audience.
Powered by Google’s artificial intelligence technology, Google Gemini will work with the Moroccan federation on a range of digital and interactive initiatives tailored for football fans. The projects are expected to provide innovative experiences for supporters within Morocco and across the world, bringing fans closer to the Atlas Lions.
Among the features highlighted are the use of Gemini’s text-to-image technology, which allows fans to create personalised visuals in support of the national team, as well as the Lyria music-generation model that enables supporters to compose fan songs and recreate stadium atmospheres digitally.
The AI platform will also help fans better understand football by simplifying complex rules, analysing match performances and even predicting possible winners.
Speaking on the partnership, Najib Jarrar described the collaboration as an important step in connecting technology with sport.
“We are proud to support the Moroccan National Team, which honours Moroccan football with its global achievements during this important phase,” Jarrar said.
“Through Google Gemini, we seek to employ the power of AI to elevate the fan experience and celebrate the rich history of Moroccan football. This partnership is not just about technology; it also aims to strengthen the bonds between fans and the sport they love in deeper and more impactful ways.”
Morocco’s national team, popularly known as the Atlas Lions, gained global acclaim after becoming the first African and Arab nation to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Free Soccer-Themed Condoms to Welcome World Cup Fans
Magic Johnson Leads Campaign to Showcase Los Angeles Ahead of World Cup
Fallen Giants: Club Enyimba Beat for Historic CAF Title Suffers Relegation in Egypt
Breaking! Uzoho suspended from Super Eagles’ next match with Sierra Leone
No longer Super League as CAF changes name of its new clubs competition
NIGERIAN FOOTBALL CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SANUSI CHARGES NIGERIAN COACHES TO BE UPRIGHT, DILIGENT
- World Cup5 days ago
FIFA Plans Three Opening Ceremonies in All Host Nations for 2026 World Cup
- World Cup4 days ago
United States Unveils Hollywood-Style FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony
- World Cup4 days ago
Mexico president wavers on plan to cut school year by 40 days for the World Cup
- World Cup5 days ago
Burna Boy Joins Shakira for Official 2026 World Cup Song ‘Dai Dai’
- World Cup1 week ago
Despite 2026 Absence, Nigeria Still Leads Africa’s World Cup Winners’ Chart
- Premier League5 days ago
Man United’s Fernandes and City’s Shaw win FWA Footballer of the Year awards
- Nigerian Football5 days ago
Sporting Lagos Crowned 2026 NNL Champions After Dramatic Super Four Finale
- Premier League2 days ago
Arsenal survive huge scare to edge towards title