Trump welcomes global fans for 2026 World Cup, 2028 Olympics despite travel decline and visa hurdles

At the UN General Assembly, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed hope that countless global fans will attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics hosted by the United States, emphasizing excitement around these major events. Despite his invitation, overseas travel to the U.S. has declined for six consecutive months, with a 2.9% drop reported in August, counter to global tourism trends and casting doubt on expectations to surpass pre-pandemic visitor levels by 2025. The World Cup, co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the U.S., has seen immense ticket demand, with over 1.5 million applications from 210 countries within 24 hours, yet new visa challenges persist. Visitors from non-visa waiver countries face a new $250 "visa integrity fee" and long visa wait times averaging 169 days, which complicates travel plans especially for fans from Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil. FIFA leadership has assured inclusivity for all qualified teams and fans, yet concerns remain about U.S. immigration policies and travel restrictions potentially deterring visitors. Overall, while enthusiasm for the events remains high, logistical and policy hurdles may affect international attendance.