2026 World Cup: A Golden Opportunity for Professionals Who Dream of Living in the U.S.

Murtaz Navsariwala
4 hours ago
4 min read

The 2026 World Cup will be hosted by three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The U.S. alone will have 11 host cities, representing a massive mobilization of talent, infrastructure, and professionals.

But what many don’t realize is that the World Cup moves more than just the players on the field - it opens doors for hundreds of behind-the-scenes professionals. For many international experts in the sports industry, this could be the best opportunity of the decade to work legally in the United States. Want to know how? Keep reading!

Behind-the-Scenes Professionals: The Profiles the U.S. Values

A successful team is built on more than just athletes. Many professionals are in demand by U.S. recruiters and international events, including:

Coaches and assistant coaches
Physical therapists
Strength and conditioning coaches
Sports nutritionists
Sports psychologists
Performance-focused physicians
Scouts and performance analysts

These experts are considered essential to elite athlete performance, and the U.S. is actively seeking qualified professionals to meet growing demand - especially for global events like the World Cup.

Visa Suspension: Obstacle or Strategic Window?

Recently, the U.S. government announced a temporary suspension in the issuance of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries. At first, this created concern and uncertainty. But it's crucial to understand the broader context.

This measure does not mean that visas no longer exist or that opportunities are canceled. In most cases, suspensions are due to internal reviews, administrative capacity, staffing limitations, or unexpected increases in demand. In this case, the review is tied to updated public charge rules.

In practice, what's paused is the issuance process, not immigration law. In other words, if you're eligible, your right to apply for a visa remains fully valid.

In fact, this type of situation creates a strategic opportunity: while many people pause or give up, those who act early and prepare in advance gain a clear competitive edge.

Getting your documents ready, understanding the right visa category, and building a strong strategy now means you'll be ready to apply as soon as processing resumes - avoiding backlogs, delays, and increased competition.

Instead of seeing it as a barrier, this temporary suspension should serve as a signal: it's time to act wisely and plan for the long term. In immigration, timing is everything - and those who move early lead the way.

What Visas Allow You to Work Legally in the U.S.?

If you work in the sports field, there are several legal pathways to enter and work in the U.S., depending on your qualifications and experience. Common visa options include:

P-1: for athletes and support teams involved in internationally recognized events
O-1: for professionals with extraordinary ability or significant recognition in their field
H-1B: for specialized positions requiring higher education (such as physical therapists or nutritionists)
B-1: for short-term business trips related to events, workshops, or training (non-permanent)

Each visa type has specific requirements, and success depends on proper documentation and legal strategy.

How to Turn a Temporary Visa into a Green Card

Many professionals begin with a temporary work visa but later realize that their career path can support a petition for permanent residency. This is possible through categories such as:

EB-3: for qualified professionals with a formal job offer in the U.S.
EB-2 with National Interest Waiver (NIW): ideal for individuals working in areas of national importance, such as health, sports science, or human performance.

With the right legal guidance, it’s possible to develop a long-term immigration strategy, turning your career into a passport to a Green Card.

Immigration Planning: The Key to Long-Term Success

Living and working legally in the U.S. doesn’t happen overnight. Contrary to what many believe, the immigration process doesn’t start at the consulate - it starts with proper planning.

This planning includes strategic steps that greatly increase your chances of approval:

1. Identify your profile and goals

What is your background, training, and vision for your future in the U.S.? Is your goal temporary or permanent? Each path requires a different legal approach.

2. Choose the right visa

There are many visa types, and choosing the wrong one can lead to delays or even denials. The ideal visa fits your professional profile, intended activity, and duration of stay.

3. Gather accurate documentation

Visas require evidence of qualifications, experience, prior work, professional recognition, letters of recommendation, etc. Preparing these documents early prevents last-minute issues.

4. Work with an immigration legal team

Immigration law is complex. Having an experienced legal team ensures your case is strong, well-documented, and aligned with USCIS expectations.

With the World Cup approaching, demand for qualified sports professionals in the U.S. will rise and so will competition and scrutiny. Preparing now allows you to:

Clarify your legal options
Build a consistent immigration case
Avoid surprises or rushed decisions
Be ready to apply the moment doors reopen

In the immigration journey, time is a strategic asset and those who use it wisely get ahead.

Murtaz Law is here to help! We are a U.S.-based law firm specializing in professional immigration, with a high approval rate in employment-based visas.

Click here to contact our team and receive a personalized case evaluation.

About Murtaz Law

With more than a decade of experience, we take pride in guiding families and individuals on their journey to legally immigrate to the USA, whether temporarily or permanently.

Our success story spans a variety of cases, including temporary immigration, family reunification, naturalization, and especially, work visas like the EB2-NIW, which leads to the Green Card. Over the years, we have built a solid reputation and become a reference for skilled professionals, artists, and elite athletes who wish to expand their careers or undertake ventures in the USA.

Our 99.5% approval rate in cases demonstrates our commitment to a personalized approach, combining ethics, creativity, and deep knowledge of the laws and economic issues. We recognize that each client has a unique story and work side by side, individually, to create tailored strategies that achieve the desired outcomes. We take the importance of our work in our clients' lives seriously. Your future deserves a unique strategy, and we at Murtaz Law have the experience and expertise to meet your immigration needs.