By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
Football fans from five African countries heading to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States will no longer be required to pay visa bonds of up to $15,000, following a temporary waiver announced by the US government.
The waiver applies to supporters from Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Tunisia all countries affected by a US immigration policy targeting nations with high visa overstay rates.
According to the US State Department, eligible fans who purchase World Cup tickets and register through FIFA’s visa facilitation system will now be exempt from the controversial bond requirement.
US officials say the move is aimed at easing travel for international supporters ahead of the tournament, which kicks off on June 11, 2026, and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The bond policy, introduced as part of President Donald Trump’s broader immigration crackdown, required some travelers to deposit between $5,000 and $15,000 before entering the US, with refunds issued only after compliance with visa conditions.
While players, coaches and officials had already been exempted, ordinary fans from the affected countries were only granted relief this week after months of discussions involving FIFA and US authorities.
Despite the waiver, concerns remain over strict US immigration measures ahead of the tournament, including expanded travel restrictions, tougher visa scrutiny and increased security checks for foreign visitors.
