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Trump Fast-Tracks U.S. Visa Interviews for 2026 World Cup Fans.
The United States will fast-track visa interviews for foreign fans holding tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, President Donald Trump announced on Monday at the White House. Under the new FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System (Pass), ticket-holders facing long wait times can request earlier visa interviews at U.S. embassies. The tournament is scheduled for June and July 2026 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Trump emphasized that the system is designed to help fans secure appointments in time for the event without compromising standard vetting procedures. “Your ticket is not a visa; it doesn’t guarantee admission to the U.S.,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified. “We’re applying the same screening as anyone else, but moving eligible applicants ahead in the queue.”
Rubio stated that ticket-holders can expect interview appointments within six to eight weeks, a significant improvement compared to existing delays that reach nearly a year in some locations. Current U.S. State Department data shows applicants in Colombia waiting approximately 11 months, Mexico City around nine and a half months, and some non-Canadian residents in Toronto up to 14 months.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who attended the announcement, hailed the system as a way to streamline entry for legitimate fans. “With this FIFA Pass, fans who buy tickets can attend the World Cup in the best conditions, starting from getting their visa,” he said, noting that five to ten million visitors could travel to the U.S. for matches. Over one million tickets have already been sold to supporters from 212 countries.
The U.S. Travel Association welcomed the initiative, describing it as a measure that “strengthens security, increases capacity, and cuts wait times.” Its CEO, Geoff Freeman, added that it introduces much-needed efficiency for managing the anticipated surge in visitors.
Uncertainty remains over how the system will apply to nationals of countries affected by Trump’s June executive order, which restricts citizens from 12 nations from entering the U.S. While athletes and coaching staff are exempt, supporters may not be. The State Department has yet to clarify whether these restrictions will apply to World Cup ticket-holders.
Trump noted that his administration had already reduced visa wait times for most countries to 60 days or less and projected that the World Cup could generate approximately $30 billion for the U.S. economy and create 200,000 jobs. Rubio confirmed that 400 additional consular officers have been deployed globally to manage increased demand.
Travelers from U.S. visa waiver program countries, including much of Europe, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Australia, will not require visas for visits of up to 90 days. Unlike Russia and Qatar, which issued fan IDs doubling as entry documents, the U.S. will rely on its existing visa process while prioritizing interviews for ticket-holders.
President Bola Tinubu has described his predecessor, the late Muhammadu Buhari, as his political partner, saying his administration effectively represents continuity of their shared governance.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has denied claims that he ordered the revocation of the licence of Rainbow Event Centre, which hosted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) national convention on February 14, 2026.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Wike said the party should stop blaming him for its internal issues, insisting that the ADC is already heading towards political failure on its own.
The ADC had alleged that FCT authorities denied it access to venues for its convention and attempted to stop the use of the Rainbow Event Centre before the event eventually held there.
Reacting, Wike said investigations have already been launched into the matter and directed his Chief of Staff to identify any staff member involved in the alleged interference.
He stated: “We will not allow people to just wake up and say the FCT Minister did this or that. I have told my Chief of Staff to find out from the company which staff member interfered. We will get to the bottom of this.”
Meanwhile, Wike also commented on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s political ambitions, saying he would have to wait until 2031 to contest for the presidency.
He said there is “no space” for Atiku in 2027, adding that he could try again in 2031 when he would be 82 years old.
Wike made the remarks during an inspection of ongoing road projects in Kuje Area Council on Thursday, while also criticising Atiku’s repeated attacks on the current administration and insisting that President Bola Tinubu has performed better than previous leadership.
Nigerian disc jockey Florence Otedola, popularly known as DJ Cuppy, has opened up about her dating experiences and how they have shaped her view on relationships.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
She made this known during a conversation with ZeZe Millz, where she revealed that she has dated different types of men over the years from various backgrounds.
According to the 33-year-old, her dating history includes a model, a footballer, and even a bus driver, some of whom she met on dating apps. She also disclosed that she once paid about £400 (over ₦700,000) to join a dating platform.
Cuppy said her perspective on relationships has changed with time, especially after her younger sister, Temi Otedola, got married to singer Mr Eazi.
She noted that she now prefers a simple and peaceful relationship, adding that she is no longer interested in complicated lifestyles or public attention.
She said: “I’ve dated all kinds of men, but now all I want is a simple 9–5 man with no social media. I once dated a bus driver I met on a dating app that I paid £400 to join.”
Cuppy has previously been in the public eye for her relationships, including her engagement to British boxer Ryan Taylor in 2022, which ended shortly after. She has also been linked to music executive Asa Asika.
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