Visa rules limit attendance at 2026 World Cup for fans from some nations

Supporters from about a quarter of the nations that qualified for the 2026 World Cup faced travel bans, heightened entry rules, or elevated U.S. visa refusal rates. FIFA had expanded the field to include first-time participants Cape Verde, Jordan, Uzbekistan and Curaçao, yet entry remained subject to each host country’s standard immigration procedures.

The U.S. began requiring visa bonds of up to $15,000 for visitors from 50 countries last year. After FIFA requested relief, the administration waived the bond for qualified ticket holders from Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia, though applicants still completed the regular visa process.

Visa outcomes varied by country A Ghanaian journalist who prepared for months had his visa application denied without explanation. A State Department spokesperson said the department added more than 600 consular staff, created millions of extra appointments and used the FIFA PASS program to prioritize World Cup applications while keeping existing security standards.

An Iraqi laboratory technician submitted his visa application a month before the tournament but received no decision by match day. With routine consular services suspended in Iraq, he instead helped organize a viewing area in Mosul where hundreds watched Iraq’s opening match on large screens.

Local viewing areas drew crowds In Brockton, Massachusetts, Cape Verdean supporters filled restaurants and spilled into streets after their team held Spain to a scoreless draw. In Dakar, Senegalese fans climbed balconies and window ledges at a university to watch their side play France.