The 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage is over. The knockout rounds have begun. Thirty-two teams are left and the matches are running from now until the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey are the ones that matter most. Brazil, France, Argentina, England, Portugal and Spain are all still in the tournament. If you have been watching from Nigeria and wondering whether it is too late to get there, it is not. But you need to move today.
What Matches Are Still Left
The Round of 32 runs through July 3. The Round of 16 follows from July 5. The quarterfinals are July 10 and 11. The semifinals are July 14 and 15. The third place playoff is July 18 and the final is July 19 in New Jersey.
That is three full weeks of football remaining across cities including New York, Miami, Dallas, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Boston, Kansas City and Philadelphia. Tickets are still available in select categories through FIFA's official platform. Prices start from $50 for some matches.
The US Visa Situation for Nigerians
Nigerian passport holders cannot enter the United States without a B1/B2 visitor visa. There is no visa on arrival and no electronic travel authorisation for Nigerians. You need the full visa with an embassy interview.
The good news is that the US government has set up the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System, known as FIFA PASS, specifically to help fans with confirmed tickets get priority interview appointments. If you have tickets or are buying them now, this is the system you need to use.
What FIFA PASS Actually Is
FIFA PASS is not a separate visa. It is not a faster visa. It does not cost extra on top of your standard visa fee. What it does is move you to the front of the queue for your interview appointment at the US Embassy in Abuja or Lagos.
The standard B1/B2 processing time for Nigerian applicants is 8 to 16 weeks. With FIFA PASS and a confirmed ticket, you can potentially get an interview appointment within days rather than months.
One thing to understand clearly: FIFA PASS does not guarantee visa approval. Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, said it directly when announcing the programme. "Your ticket is not a visa. It does not guarantee admission to the US. We are going to do the same vetting as anybody else would get. The only difference is we are moving them up in the queue."
You still get the full interview. You still need to demonstrate strong ties to Nigeria, sufficient funds, and a genuine intention to return home. FIFA PASS just means you do not wait months for the chance to prove it.
The Visa Bond Has Been Waived
This is important for Nigerian fans. The US previously required a visa bond from some Nigerian applicants. This bond could be as high as $15,000 and was a major barrier for many people.
For World Cup attendees who purchased their FIFA tickets directly from FIFA before April 15 and opted into FIFA PASS, this bond requirement has been waived. If you bought tickets after April 15 the bond waiver may not apply to you. Check the US Embassy Nigeria website for the current position before applying.
Step by Step: What to Do Right Now
Step one: Buy your FIFA World Cup tickets if you have not already. Go to fifa.com and check what is available for the remaining knockout matches. You cannot use FIFA PASS without a confirmed ticket.
Step two: Get your FIFA Visa Support Letter. Log into your FIFA account, navigate to your ticket order and request the Visa Support Letter. This typically takes 2 to 5 business days. Do this immediately after buying your tickets.
Step three: Complete your DS-160 form at ceac.state.gov. Be specific about your purpose. Write that you are attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup, list the specific matches and venues you plan to attend, and include your exact travel dates.
Step four: Pay your US visa application fee of $185. In Nigeria this can be paid at GTBank or United Bank for Africa using the instructions on the US Embassy Nigeria website.
Step five: Schedule your visa interview using FIFA PASS. After paying your fee, log into the US visa appointment system. When asked if you are a FIFA ticket holder, select yes. If your FIFA PASS registration details match your visa application you will get access to priority appointment slots.
Step six: Gather your supporting documents. You need your passport, DS-160 confirmation, visa fee receipt, photo, FIFA tickets, FIFA Visa Support Letter, six months of bank statements, an employment letter from your employer, and accommodation bookings in the US. If you are self-employed bring business bank statements, your CAC registration and client invoices.
Step seven: Attend your interview. Be ready to answer questions about your job, your ties to Nigeria, your financial situation and your specific plans in the US. The officer will ask about your match schedule, where you are staying and when you are returning to Nigeria. Know the answers before you walk in.
What the Officer Will Be Looking For
Nigerian applicants face the same scrutiny at a World Cup interview as any other B1/B2 interview. The officer is asking one central question: will this person leave the US when the tournament ends?
Your FIFA tickets answer the purpose question clearly. What you need to prove separately is that you have strong reasons to return home. This means employment in Nigeria that you cannot afford to abandon, property ownership, dependent family members, or an active business.
The officers are aware that major sporting events attract applicants who use the event as a cover for longer stays. Your profile needs to show that is not your situation. If your ties to Nigeria are strong and clearly documented, your approval chances are significantly higher.
Is There Still Time
This is the honest answer. If you start the process today, July 3, you are applying with 16 days until the final. Even with FIFA PASS priority appointments, getting an interview and then receiving your passport back with a visa can take 7 to 14 days after the interview.
This means the quarterfinals and semifinals from July 10 onwards are the realistic target for anyone starting now. The final on July 19 is achievable if everything moves quickly.
It is tight. But it is not impossible. People have moved faster when the motivation is strong enough.
How Komot Can Help
Before your embassy appointment, run your profile through Komot's mock interview feature. Select US B1/B2 Visitor Visa and set the difficulty to Tough. The questions Komot generates are calibrated to what Nigerian applicants actually get asked about return intent, employment and financial evidence.
Knowing exactly how to answer the officer's questions clearly and confidently is the difference between a same-day approval and a refusal. The tickets get you to the interview. Your preparation gets you the visa.
Start your mock interview at getkomot.com. No account needed to begin.