The United States is preparing to welcome millions of visitors for the FIFA World Cup© 2026.
In this context, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reports that it recorded an exceptionally high volume of travel authorization applications during the first quarter of fiscal year 2026.
“Today U.S. Customs and Border Protection highlighted the tremendous success of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA, and Trusted Traveler Programs in ensuring secure and efficient travel as part of ongoing preparations for the FIFA World Cup© 2026, which is expected to draw millions of visitors to the United States,” U.S. authorities stated.
According to the federal agency, more than one million ESTA authorizations were approved between October and December 2025 for citizens of countries qualified for the competition through the electronic travel authorization system, whose requirements may evolve in the future but currently remain unchanged.
In total, 1.6 million ESTA applications were submitted under the Visa Waiver Program, according to CBP.
Top five countries requesting ESTA authorizations
The distribution of ESTA authorizations reflects not only the major global economic balance but also the geographic spread of soccer powers qualified for the 2026 World Cup.
The United Kingdom clearly leads the ranking with more than 425,000 approved ESTA authorizations, confirming both the strength of transatlantic ties and the longstanding enthusiasm of British fans for major international competitions.
France (more than 215,000 authorizations) and Germany (more than 190,000) follow—two major forces in global soccer whose national teams, consistently strong on the international stage, mobilize large contingents of supporters during major tournaments.
This trend is also evident in Asia, where Japan (nearly 180,000 authorizations) and South Korea (more than 135,000) round out the top five. These two countries, firmly established among the competitive teams in international soccer, illustrate the growing importance of the Asian market and the development of a strong traveling fan culture.
Simplifying entry into the United States without compromising security
For U.S. authorities, this increase in applications is part of a strategy aimed at balancing security with smooth travel flows.
Matthew Davies, executive director, Admissibility and Passenger Programs, Office of Field Operations, stated that “CBP is committed to ensuring safe and lawful travel for all visitors attending the FIFA World Cup© 2026.”
“By expanding participation in our Trusted Traveler Programs and ESTA, we are helping all travelers spend less time in line and more time enjoying their experience in the United States, while maintaining strong border security,” Matthew Davies added.
Strong growth in Trusted Traveler Programs
Alongside ESTA, the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) are also experiencing significant growth.
More than 656,000 applications were recorded for Global Entry, the Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI), and NEXUS during the same period.
Most applications came from U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (584,000 applications), while 62,000 submissions were from Canadian members of the NEXUS program and 20,000 from travelers from other partner countries eligible for the Global Entry program.
These programs allow pre-approved, low-risk travelers to benefit from expedited processing at airports and land border crossings, reducing wait times and making travel more predictable.
Plan ahead for travel to the United States
In anticipation of the expected influx of fans and international visitors, CBP encourages eligible travelers to submit their ESTA applications or enroll in Trusted Traveler Programs well before departure. Early preparation is considered essential to ensuring a smooth travel experience and avoiding delays caused by high demand.
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, and with the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles on the horizon, these measures reflect the U.S. authorities’ commitment to balancing hospitality and oversight, at a time when these major sporting events are already shaping up to be among the decade’s greatest logistical and security challenges.
