The United States’ air travel infrastructure is unprepared to handle the expected influx of visitors for major upcoming events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics, a new report warns.
Released Wednesday by the U.S. Travel Association, the report highlights key issues such as outdated infrastructure, long visa processing times, and obsolete security technology. These obstacles could pose significant challenges to hosting millions of travelers.
“We’re not ready for the upcoming wave of global events that will bring millions of visitors to the U.S.,” the report states. “This threatens national security and hinders economic growth.”
The report estimates that as many as 40 million people could travel to the U.S. for the World Cup, the Olympics and Paralympics, the 2025 Ryder Cup, and America’s 250th birthday celebration. This includes 6 million people expected for the World Cup alone.
Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of U.S. Travel, pointed to troubling projections about air travel. In 2024, the TSA screened over 3 million passengers on five busy days, including the pre-Thanksgiving rush. By 2028, they expect these numbers to occur on 100 days.
“The message is clear,” Freeman said at a press conference on Capitol Hill Wednesday. “We cannot continue with the current system.”
The U.S. Travel Association’s report suggests the creation of a task force led by the White House, the development of a faster visitor visa process, and the modernization of airport security with technologies like biometrics. Freeman noted that his group has already met with White House officials in recent days, though the White House did not respond to requests for comment.
“The president has set high goals for these events, aiming to make them the best World Cup and Olympics ever,” Freeman said. “To reach these goals, we need to make critical investments now.”
One of the biggest issues highlighted in the report is the slow visa processing times. In some countries like Colombia, the wait for a visitor visa can be as long as 700 days. Freeman emphasized that these delays could lead to millions of lost visitors and billions in potential spending.
“People want to visit, but the delays and inefficiencies are driving them away,” Freeman said. “We need to address these issues urgently.”
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