FIFA issues statement after World Cup chaos as Trump bans visas for 75 countries

FIFA have issued a statement and revealed the staggering amount of ticket request its had, despite Trump's visa clampdown.

Earlier this week, the president announced an indefinite immigrant visa suspension on 75 countries, just a few months before the US (paired with Mexico and Canada) is set to host one of the world's largest sports tournaments.

The Department of Homeland Security tweeted on January 14: "The State Department will pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries whose migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates. The freeze will remain active until the U.S. can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people."

The 75 countries range from Haiti and Montenegro to Barbados, Cuba, Morocco, and Ghana.

The news may affect thousands of people who may have wanted to travel to the US for the World Cup this summer, but that seemingly hasn't stopped people applying for tickets.

Trump has banned 75 countries from immigrant visas just months before the World Cup (Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

In the last 33 days, over 500 million ticket requests have been sent to FIFA, according to the association. The draw closed on Tuesday, January 13.

FIFA says people will be informed if their requests were successful no earlier than February 5.

Per a press release, apart from the host countries (the US, Mexico, and Canada), the highest number of applications came from fans residing in Germany, England, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, and Colombia.

Unfortunately, for Colombian and Brazilian soccer fans though, they're on the list of countries the US has suspended immigrant visas for. Luckily, the suspension will not apply to non-immigrant, temporary tourist, or business visas though.

As well has non-immigrant visas still being available, FIFA have recently announced the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS).

Those who have a valid World Cup ticket can apply for a FIFA PASS, which will give them access to priority visa interview appointments ahead of the tournament.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said after the announcement: "America welcomes the World. We have always said that this will be the greatest and most inclusive FIFA World Cup in history – and the FIFA PASS service is a very concrete example of that.

Gianni Infantino has teamed up with the US government to create the 'FIFA PASS' (JUAN MABROMATA/AFP via Getty Images)

"I extend my sincere gratitude to the President of the United States Donald J. Trump, Vice President JD Vance, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Executive Director Andrew Giuliani and the White House Task Force for their incredible support.

"The United States is set to welcome fans from around the world on an unprecedented scale, and we are preparing to ensure that football unites the world when the tournament kicks off in North America next June."

The pass does not guarantee a person entry into the US. Those who apply for it, still have to go through full security vetting.

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