Millions of World Cup fans clear US border hurdle as CBP reports record ESTA approvals
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup less than a month away, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has processed a record-breaking wave of travel authorizations — and launched new tools to help ensure the smooth arrival of the largest influx of sports tourists in U.S. history.
The numbers behind the wave
The extent of the travel preparation prior to the tournament is unprecedented. From October 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026, CBP received more than 5.9 million ESTA applications under the Visa Waiver Program, resulting in more than 5 million approvals.
The top five countries for approval were the Great Britain with more than 1.2 million, followed by France with more than 570,000, Germany with more than 530,000, Japan with more than 500,000 and the Republic of Korea with more than 320,000.
ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) allows citizens of 42 countries to visit the United States for tourism or business without a visa for a stay of up to 90 days. For the World Cup, which is jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, it is the main gateway for the vast majority of international fans.
CBP also received more than 1.6 million applications for Trusted Traveler programs during the same period, including Global Entry, SENTRI and NEXUS. These programs allow pre-approved travelers to use expedited lanes at airports and land border crossings – a key benefit during what is expected to be an overwhelming summer for U.S. airports.
“Spend less time in line”
The agency struck an unusually welcoming tone in its May 18 announcement, a notable shift amid a broader climate of tougher U.S. immigration enforcement.
“CBP is committed to ensuring safe and legal travel for all visitors attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” said Matthew Davies, Executive Director of Admissibility and Passenger Programs, Office of Field Operations. “By expanding participation in our Trusted Traveler programs and ESTA, we are helping all travelers spend less time in lines and more time enjoying their experience in the United States, while maintaining strong border security.”
Given that the statement is important context earlier this year, a CBP proposal to require all ESTA applicants to submit five years of social media history sparked international backlash and the fear of a tournament boycott by European fans. The agency has since has reduced the proposal to a more targeted approachconfirming that no new social media requirements will be in place before the World Cup starts in June.
Meet COMPASS: CBP’s new AI travel assistant
In addition to processing applications, CBP also uses technology to manage the flow of traveler questions. CBP’s interactive, secure virtual assistant, called COMPASS, went live on April 1, 2026 and in just over a month has already answered more than 25,000 questions on topics from general entry requirements to questions related to ESTA and Global Entry.
The tool can be accessed at askkompas.cbp.gov and is linked on the CBP landing pages for the World Cup. A joint ‘Know Before You Go’ factsheet, developed in partnership with FIFA, has also been released for easy reference, complemented by the TSA’s World Cup Security Playbook – a practical guide with a ‘game plan for a smooth journey’.
What fans still need to know
Despite the record approval numbers, the road to the stadium is not entirely smooth. The CBP official World Cup travel page reminds visitors that ESTA authorization does not guarantee entry — CBP officials retain final authority at ports of entryand travelers who violate U.S. laws or the terms of their stay may be detained and removed.
For travelers who do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (PASS) to streamline visa processing prior to the tournament.
The CBP Mobile Passport Control app allows travelers to submit passport information, customs declaration responses, and biometric photos before being submitted for inspection – supporting group submissions of up to twelve travelers from a single device. Fans traveling in groups are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this.
The bigger picture
The countdown to the biggest sporting event in history has officially led to an unprecedented administrative wave at America’s borders, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup marking a historic expansion to 48 teams. With matches spread across 16 cities in three countries, the logistics of safely transporting millions of fans through US ports of entry represent a real test of the country’s border infrastructure – and so far early numbers suggest the system is holding up.
