Thousands of additional visa appointment slots have been opened by the United States Embassy in Accra to accommodate a surge in demand ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

This initiative aims to assist Ghanaian football fans and business travellers in obtaining travel clearance for the tournament, which is being co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico.

With the Black Stars confirmed to play their group stage matches in Toronto, Boston, and Philadelphia, embassy officials acted swiftly to ensure supporters can make the trip.

Matthew Asada, the press attaché at the US Embassy in Accra, confirmed that the new slots are available immediately. He noted that the embassy has opened thousands of additional non-immigrant visa appointment slots in Accra, with availability starting as early as this week.

While the expansion is timed for the World Cup, the embassy clarified that these slots apply to all standard non-immigrant visas. This includes B1 visas for business travel and professional meetings, as well as B2 visas for tourism, holidays, and family visits.

The recruitment of 450 additional consular officers worldwide by the US State Department has bolstered the embassy's capacity to handle the expected influx of applicants.

However, despite the increase in appointments, officials warned that the application process remains rigorous.

Asada urged Ghanaians to arrive at their interviews fully prepared to explain their travel plans. He emphasised the importance of applicants bringing all necessary documentation to support their case, whether they are attending a match, a concert, or a business conference.

The 2026 tournament will be the largest FIFA World Cup in history, with Ghana’s national team set to begin their campaign against Panama on June 17 2026.

Travel experts advise fans to book their appointments as soon as possible via the official US visa website to avoid the inevitable last-minute rush as the tournament approaches.