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.
EuronewsThe 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.
Hotel bookings for the football tournament are far below what was initially anticipated. Last month it was thought that the number of World Cup fans affected by the visa bonds was as few as 250 people. The number of World Cup fans affected by the visa bonds is growing as more tickets are sold.
International travel rose by 80 million people in 2025. U.S. 5% in 2025. North America was the region with the least international growth in 2025.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
6 events- 2025 (last year)
U.S. State Department imposed visa bond requirement on travelers from some 50 countries with high overstay rates
1 sourceEuronews - November 2025
FIFA launched the FIFA pass system for expedited visa appointments
1 sourceEuronews - 2025
International travel rose by 80 million people while U.S. visitor numbers fell by 5.5%
1 sourceEuronews - April 2026
Number of World Cup fans affected by visa bonds estimated at as few as 250 but growing with ticket sales
1 sourceEuronews - 2026-05-14
Trump administration announces waiver of visa bond fees up to $15,000 for eligible fans from five qualifying nations
1 sourceEuronews - 2026-06-11
2026 FIFA World Cup begins
1 sourceEuronews
Potential Impact
- 01
Growing number of affected fans as more tickets sell, expanding beyond the initial estimate of 250 people
- 02
Continued suppression of overall international hotel demand for the World Cup due to remaining travel bans, visa processing concerns and political climate warnings
- 03
Lowered financial barrier for thousands of fans from five African nations, likely increasing attendance from those countries
- 04
Strengthened FIFA’s described partnership with U.S. government ahead of co-hosted tournament opening on 11 June 2026
Transparency Panel
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