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Story summary
- U.S. government says visa and Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) data show no travel surge for 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- About 12,000 visa seekers opted into FIFA's Priority Appointment Scheduling System.
- Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar reported 5.1 million ESTA applications YTD, versus about 15 million visa applications annually.
- Visitation fell 5.5% last year as FIFA projects 6.5 million tickets for 104 matches, 78 in the United States.
