US to Require Foreign Influencers to Get Work Visas for 2026 World Cup

Foreign influencers planning to cover the 2026 World Cup in the United States must secure a work visa before creating monetized content on social media, according to a joint announcement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This policy could reshape FIFA’s broadcasting strategy, which has recently partnered with dozens of international creators on platforms like TikTok and YouTube.

In a statement provided to El País, CBP and DHS clarified that “coming to the United States with the sole purpose of creating content (as an influencer), thereby generating earnings from the United States while in the country, is considered work and requires the appropriate visa.” The agencies emphasized that influencers without a work visa who receive income while in the U. S. could be violating their immigration status.

The 2026 World Cup is expected to be one of the most significant global sporting events of the year, as well as a major draw for social media influencers. The United States will host 78 of the 104 matches across 11 cities, including Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Dallas, Houston, Seattle, Atlanta, and San Francisco.

According to a study by FIFA and the World Trade Organization, roughly 6.5 million people are expected to attend matches across host countries. The U. S. alone will account for about 3.7 million attendees, many of whom will be international visitors.

In recent months, FIFA has announced content deals with platforms like TikTok and YouTube to boost the tournament’s social media presence. These agreements involve dozens of influencers from around the world, who, according to YouTube, will receive “unprecedented access” to matches and related activities.

“They won’t just be reacting to the game, they’ll bring a fresh perspective to the FIFA World Cup including human stories, tactical breakdowns, and behind-the-scenes action that further brings to life the legendary tournament as it unfolds,” wrote Justin Connolly, YouTube’s global head of media and sports, earlier this year.

On TikTok, FIFA’s partnership includes 30 content creators from 11 countries and 22 cities across four continents. In a May statement, the company described these creators as “soccer enthusiasts from everywhere, reflecting the diversity of voices and perspectives that define the game, and extending tournament discovery to fans wherever they are, in the languages and formats that resonate most.”

It remains unclear whether the influencers involved in these programs already hold the necessary documentation to conduct paid activities in the U. S.

One possible workaround for creators without a work visa is the O-1 visa, which is reserved for individuals with “extraordinary ability” in fields like arts, business, science, or sports. Unlike the B1/B2 visa for tourism or business, the O-1 visa permits professional activities in the U. S. in exchange for compensation, including commercial collaborations, promotional tours, and for-profit content production.

Several questions remain unanswered, including how foreign influencers will be verified as having the correct visa for their work, and under what specific conditions the regulations will be enforced. According to the El País report, U. S. authorities plan to step up inspections at airports and border crossings, as well as monitor the digital activity of creators suspected of violating immigration rules.