Delay of Game: Visa Restrictions, Tourism, and the 2026 World Cup

In the lead up to the World Cup, visa delays have exposed the deficiencies of the United States' travel system. This research paper explores political and economic communications from the White House, travel industry representatives, and U.S. representatives to evaluate the causes of visa delays and how it may affect travel to the World Cup in 2026. By examining the current the visa process and its relation to immigration policy, I argue that prioritizing national security concerns can negatively affect visa access, and ultimately hurts tourism. Given the Trump administration's aspirations to increase the global standing of the United States, this paper reveals how its ability to manage visa applications may affect the legacy of the World Cup.