Pele Receives O-1 Visa Through Revived New York Cosmos

In the 1970's, the New York Cosmos soccer team was the keystone of the fledgling North American Soccer League (NASL). The NASL eventually disbanded in 1984 after a decade-long run. The Cosmos was known for employing world famous soccer players, including Brazilian legend Edson Arantes do Nascimento (better known as "Pele").

Certain promoters have revitalized the New York Cosmos club, with the hopes of having it join Major League Soccer within a couple of years. As with its prior iteration, the Cosmos will once again have Pele on staff, albeit not in a playing capacity.

“The Cosmos are back!” old boy Pele enthused in August, when the would-be club’s directors announced the Brazilian icon, world football’s one and only O Rei, as honorary president.

The Cosmos recently acquired an O-1 visa on behalf of Pele for his administrative role in the new Cosmos team. The O-1 is a nonimmigrant visa for individuals who possess extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.