US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said Monday that between October 1, 2025, and April 30, 2026, it received more than 5.9 million applications through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Of those, more than 5 million were approved, according to an agency statement.
The five countries with the highest number of authorizations granted were the United Kingdom (more than 1.2 million), France (more than 570,000), Germany (more than 530,000), Japan (more than 500,000), and South Korea (more than 320,000). CBP also noted that more than 1.6 million applications were processed through the Trusted Traveler Program (TTP), which expedites entry screening.
The agency advises all non-US citizens planning to attend the 2026 World Cup — hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19 — to consult the tournament section on its website and the CBP and FIFA travel fact sheet titled “Know Before You Go.” Since April, the COMPASS virtual assistant has also been available to answer questions about entry requirements.
CBP is already preparing contingencies for the increase in international charter and corporate flights during the World Cup, reminding pilots and aircraft operators traveling to or from the US that they must meet specific agency requirements.
The organization of the event faces criticism due to the tightening of immigration policies imposed since 2025 by the administration of President Donald Trump, who has not ruled out operations to arrest migrants in an irregular situation during the tournament.