US plans AI boost, double shifts for visa surge ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup: Secretary Rubio

The Trump administration is considering putting consular officers on double shifts and employing artificial intelligence to surge processing of visas ahead of the World Cup next year, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers on Wednesday.

Travel groups have raised concerns that wait times mean fans from some of the 48 nations set to compete will not be able to secure a US visa before the FIFA tournament, co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada, kicks off in June 2026.