Washington: The Trump administration has announced that football fans travelling to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be exempt from a controversial $15,000 (£11,000) visa deposit requirement, provided they hold valid match tickets for the tournament.
The decision offers relief to supporters from 50 countries that were previously subject to the visa bond policy, introduced last year as part of a broader immigration enforcement initiative aimed at reducing visa overstays.
Five of the countries benefiting from the exemption, Algeria, Cabo Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia, have already qualified for the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11.
Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar stated that, “We are waiving visa bonds for qualified fans who bought World Cup tickets.” The visa bond programme, launched as a 12-month pilot in August last year, required travellers from selected nations to pay a refundable deposit before entering the US. According to the State Department, the measure targeted countries with high visa overstay rates or limited screening and vetting cooperation.
- Image Via: FB@2026 FIFA World Cup | Cropped by BH
While players and coaches travelling for the World Cup had already been exempt from the requirement, ordinary fans with confirmed match tickets were only added to the exemption list. FIFA welcomed the move, calling it another sign of close cooperation with the White House ahead of the global tournament.
In a statement, FIFA said the decision reflects the administration’s commitment to delivering a successful, record-breaking and unforgettable global event. Despite the exemption, travellers from Iran and Haiti remain barred under existing US travel restrictions. However, players and coaches from those nations will still be permitted entry for World Cup-related activities.
Supporters from the Ivory Coast and Senegal, both qualified for the tournament continue to face partial travel restrictions under an expanded version of the administration’s travel ban policy.
The announcement comes with continued scrutiny of US immigration rules ahead of the World Cup. Last year, the US government also proposed requiring tourists from dozens of countries to provide five years of social media history as part of visa screening procedures.
Human rights organisations and travel advocacy groups have raised concerns over the policies, warning that they could lead to increased surveillance, racial profiling, denied entry risks, and stricter border screening for international visitors travelling to the World Cup.
TOP PICKS | Trump leads major US business delegation to China for Xi meeting
