politics
Trump Administration Exempts Ticketed World Cup Fans from Five Nations from Visa Bond Requirement
The U.S. State Department will exempt supporters from Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia who bought official FIFA tickets from paying bonds of up to $15,000. The waiver comes after the requirement was imposed last year on travelers from about 50 countries with high visa overstay rates. FIFA thanked the administration for the change as the tournament approaches.
May 14, 7:30 AM·2m read1 source
EuronewsAudio version
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The Trump administration will waive visa bond fees of up to $15,000 for eligible supporters traveling to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The exemption applies to fans from Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia who have purchased official FIFA tickets, Euronews reported.
U.S. State Department imposed the visa bond requirement last year for countries with high rates of visa overstays. At the time the requirement initially applied to travelers from some 50 countries. Five nations required to pay the visa bond have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia.
Citizens from the five qualifying nations who purchased legitimate FIFA tickets can use the FIFA pass system for expedited visa appointments. The FIFA pass system was launched in November 2025. World Cup players, coaches and some staff were already exempt from the visa bond requirement.
FIFA thanked the Trump administration for waiving the visa bond requirement. The organization stated that the announcement shows "our ongoing collaboration with the US government and the White House task force for the FIFA World Cup to deliver a successful, record-breaking and unforgettable global event". The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins on 11 June 2026.
The tournament is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. U.S. despite their teams having qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Football fans from Ivory Coast and Senegal will face partial restrictions under Trump’s ongoing travel ban. U.S. The American Hotel and Lodging Association blamed visa barriers and other geopolitical issues for suppressing international demand for the World Cup.
