August M
The United States will suspend a controversial visa deposit requirement for football supporters travelling to next year’s World Cup, easing restrictions for fans from dozens of nations.
The policy change comes as the US prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico, with the tournament set to begin on 11 June, reports the BBC.
Visa rule lifted
According to the BBC, the Trump administration confirmed that football fans from 50 countries will no longer need to pay a $15,000 (£11,000) visa bond if they hold valid World Cup match tickets.
Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar told the BBC: “We are waiving visa bonds for qualified fans who bought World Cup tickets.”
The deposit scheme was introduced last year as part of a pilot programme aimed at reducing visa overstays and tightening immigration controls.
Under the original policy, travellers from selected countries could be asked to pay the refundable bond before entering the US.
World Cup impact
Several countries affected by the original requirement have already qualified for the tournament, including Algeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Tunisia and Cape Verde.
According to the BBC, players and coaching staff had already been exempt from the visa deposit programme, but ordinary supporters attending matches were only added to the exemption list this week.
FIFA welcomed the decision in a statement, saying the move reflected continued cooperation with the White House to ensure a successful tournament.
“We are grateful to the Administration for the ongoing partnership,” FIFA said.
Immigration concerns
The BBC reported that the visa bond programme formed part of a broader immigration crackdown introduced during the Trump administration.
US officials previously said the policy targeted countries with high rates of visa overstays or concerns linked to screening and vetting procedures.
Despite the latest exemption for football supporters, some restrictions remain in place. Travellers from Iran and Haiti are still barred under separate rules, although World Cup players and coaches from those countries are exempt for tournament-related travel.
Rights groups have also raised concerns over additional US entry requirements announced last year, including proposals for some travellers to provide five years of social media history before arrival.
Advocacy organisations warned that the policies could increase surveillance, racial profiling and the risk of denied entry for some international visitors heading to the World Cup.
Sources: BBC, FIFA
