A bipartisan group of lawmakers is urging U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to address a significant visa backlog that could jeopardize the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The lawmakers have expressed concern that delays in visa processing could impact billions in tourism revenue and the success of these major international events.
According to FOX 11, Los Angeles Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove is leading the effort to streamline the State Department’s visa processing capabilities. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that countries like Colombia, known for their soccer culture, can secure visas for players, broadcasters, and fans. Kamlager-Dove warned that failure to address the backlog could result in an economic loss of up to $22 billion if the Olympics are unsuccessful and $2 billion for the World Cup.
The letter to Rubio, co-led by Representatives Sydney Kamlager-Dove and Young Kim, highlighted the need for increased visa appointment availability and waivers for certain interviews. As reported by East Bay Times, the lawmakers stressed that the success of these events depends on the State Department’s efficiency in processing visa applications for spectators, athletes, and media.
In response, Rubio assured the House Foreign Affairs Committee of his commitment to resolving the issue, even considering double shifts at some diplomatic missions to clear the backlog, as mentioned by National Herald India. With the first World Cup match set for June 12, 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, the pressure is on to ensure timely visa processing.
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