Supporters from five African nations heading for the 2026 World Cup in the United States are now in luck after the Trump administration removed visa bond demands on eligible fans.
Fans from Algeria, Cape Verde, the Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia previously faced a mandatory $5,000 to $15,000 visa deposit due to broad US immigration measures implemented to tackle visa overstays.
However, US Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar has revealed that fans from the said nations who have already acquired World Cup match tickets and completed the FIFA Pass registration via the official FIFA Pass web application by April 15 would no longer have to make the bond payment.
The development comes as FIFA gears up for the enhanced 2026 FIFA World Cup scheduled to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
Of the 104 matches lined up, 78 games would be hosted in the USA; therefore, the measure would alleviate concerns for thousands of African fans who wish to make it to the tournament.
Nonetheless, travelling fans will continue to face other challenges as some nations still have partial US entry restrictions. Fans from the Ivory Coast and Senegal continue to be partly restricted, as it is rumored that some applicants rejected for visas in December would not be granted visas in March.
With increased travel costs and escalating price tags for accommodation and match-some World Cup seats going for thousands of dollars on the FIFA reselling platform, the prospect for fans heading for the competition is dimming.
Moreover, depending on the schedule of group stage games of their favorite team, fans will require additional visas to enter Canada and Mexico. The concern has already hit some supporters as it is reported that some Ghanaian fans hoping to follow their nation play in Boston and Philadelphia were rejected visa applications.
Ten African countries are set to feature at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the most of any African nation in the tournament, but the quest for most fans continues to face significant logistical and financial difficulties.
