Group warns of visa delays affecting journalists covering 2026 World Cup, calls for FIFA action

The United States passport. (Photo: Unsplash)

By Bashir Mbuthia
Saturday, June 6, 2026

According to Merlo, the issue is already affecting journalists from multiple regions, including Africa, with some reportedly denied visas outright and others granted restrictive travel permissions that could hinder their ability to follow teams across the US, Canada and Mexico, which will co-host the tournament.

The International Sports Press Association (AIPS) has raised concerns over visa restrictions and delays affecting accredited journalists scheduled to cover the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, calling on FIFA to intervene and warning that the situation could disrupt international media coverage of the tournament.

AIPS President Gianni Merlo highlighted the issue in a letter addressed to FIFA Director of Media Relations Bryan Swanson and FIFA Head of Media Operations & Services, Jochen Steinhoff, on Friday.

According to Merlo, the issue is already affecting journalists from multiple regions, including Africa, with some reportedly denied visas outright and others granted restrictive travel permissions that could hinder their ability to follow teams across the US, Canada and Mexico, which will co-host the tournament.

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Further delays and restrictive entry conditions, he said, could increase costs and reduce media presence at the tournament scheduled for June 11 to July 19.

“We're already significantly behind schedule, and many colleagues have already lost the opportunity to use plane tickets booked on time, and they'll also face significant additional expenses,” Merlo said.

The AIPS chief likewise stressed the importance of ensuring full journalistic access to support global coverage of the World Cup, particularly given its scale and visibility.

He subsequently urged FIFA to intervene with the relevant authorities to resolve the matter swiftly.

“It is important to allow colleagues to attend the event and work, because their presence will be crucial to the image of sport and what it represents, especially in a country like the United States of America, where freedom of the press is a must. I hope FIFA can do everything possible to secure visas,” he said.