The Trump administration has announced exemptions from visa bond payment requirements for FIFA World Cup ticket holders from five African nations whose teams have qualified for the tournament. However, fans from several other countries still face major obstacles to attending matches in the United States.

In 2025, the US began requiring visitors from certain countries to pay bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 to obtain tourist visas. The scheme was expanded in 2026 to include 50 countries, five of which—Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia—qualified for the World Cup.

The State Department said the waiver applies to fans who hold valid tickets and have registered through the FIFA PASS system as of April 15, 2026. The move is a rare temporary loosening of immigration requirements under the Trump administration.

However, the waiver does little for fans from Senegal and Ivory Coast, which have been subject to partial entry restrictions since December 2025. Those who did not have a visa before that date will not be granted visitor visas. Fans from Haiti and Iran remain banned under a full visa suspension.

The travel bans and bond requirements do not apply to players, coaches, and some staff. The Trump administration's aggressive immigration crackdown has cast a pall over the tournament, with concerns about ICE enforcement at venues. Human Rights Watch called for an 'ICE Truce,' but DHS claimed legal visitors have 'nothing to worry about.'

Source: www.dw.com