New York, Sept. 22 (UNGA)
– U.S. President Donald Trump has urged fans worldwide to travel to the
United States for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Summer
Olympics, even as inbound tourism to the country continues to decline.
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly
on Tuesday, Trump said the U.S. would soon mark its 250th Independence
anniversary while preparing to host two of the world’s biggest sporting
events.
“It’s going to be very exciting. I hope you all come.
I hope that countless people from all over the globe will take part,” Trump
told world leaders.
The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the U.S.,
Mexico, and Canada, featuring a record 48 teams and 104 matches
across 16 cities. FIFA reported that more than 1.5 million ticket
applications from fans in 210 countries were submitted within 24
hours of presales earlier this month.
However, U.S. travel remains a challenge. According to
preliminary government data, overseas arrivals dropped 2.9% in August 2025
to 3.5 million visitors, the sixth monthly decline this year—defying
global tourism growth and delaying a recovery to pre-pandemic levels of 79.4
million annual visitors.
Industry experts warn that new travel restrictions
could further discourage fans. Visitors from non-visa waiver countries must pay
a $250 “visa integrity fee” in addition to existing charges, while also
facing long visa wait times—averaging 169 days for a B-1/B-2 tourism or
business visa interview. This particularly affects fans from Mexico,
Argentina, and Brazil.
Meanwhile, tourists from visa-waiver countries,
largely in Europe, avoid the new fee but some are hesitant due to stricter U.S.
border checks. The White House is also considering tighter visa rules
for students, cultural exchange visitors, and foreign journalists.
The 2028 Summer Olympics will take place in Los
Angeles, California, in July 2028.
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