US Wants Foreign Sponsors to Get Work Visas for 2026 World Cup

Influencers cover 2026 World Cup in the United States cannot make money on social media without a work visa, according to a joint statement issued by Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security. The move could affect FIFA’s broadcast channels, which include contracts with several international producers TikTok and YouTube.

In words to The worldCBP and DHS stated that “coming to the United States for the sole purpose of producing goods (such as influence), thereby withdrawing money from the United States while in the country, is considered employment and requires an appropriate visa.” This statement indicates that those who do not have a valid work visa and receive income may violate their status.

The 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be one of the biggest sports of the year and one of the most popular for TV fans. The United States will host 78 of the 104 scheduled matches, spread across 11 host cities, including Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Dallas, Houston, Seattle, Atlanta, and San Francisco.

A learning FIFA and the World Trade Organization estimate that around 6.5 million people will attend the games in the host countries. The United States will account for half of that number, with about 3.7 million attendees, most of them from abroad.

In recent months, FIFA has announced partnerships with platforms such as TikTok and YouTube to increase its reach on social media. The action includes the participation of many interested people around the world who, according to YouTube, will have access to games and events related to the World Cup.

“They not only participate in the game, they bring a new perspective to the FIFA World Cup including human stories, technological breakthroughs, and events that bring the iconic game to life as it happens,” YouTube’s global head of media and sports, Justin Connolly, said. he wrote on the video sharing blog earlier this year.

In the case of TikTok, the agreement with FIFA includes the participation of 30 producers from 11 countries and 22 cities on four continents. manufacturers, According to A report released by the company in May, “represents football fans from everywhere, showing the diversity of voices and ideas that describe the sport, and improving the experience for fans wherever they are, in the languages ​​and formats they love the most.”

It is not yet known whether those included in these programs have the necessary documents to participate in paid work in the United States.

For creatives who do not have a visa available, another option is the O-1 visa, designed for people with “extraordinary talent” in areas such as the arts, business, science, or sports. In contrast to B1/B2 visa for tourism or businessThis visa allows, under certain conditions, professional activities on the US territory in exchange for payment, including commercial cooperation, marketing trips, and creating content for profit.

Questions remain about how foreign activists can be guaranteed the right visas to carry out their work. It is also unclear when the rules will apply. A report by El País indicates that the US authorities are planning to strengthen inspections at airports and border crossings, in addition to monitoring the digital activities of those who make things suspected of violating the country’s immigration laws.

This article appeared first WIRED in Spanish and translated from Spanish.