Which World Cup fans could be banned from the US?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to be a global celebration– held across North America in the US, Mexico and Canada, bringing together 48 teams and millions of fans. But while the games themselves will be open to the world, US immigration policy may keep some fans out.
Under travel bans and new visa policies introduced under the Trump administration, some countries that have qualified, or are on the verge of qualifying, could see their supporters sidelined.
Here’s a breakdown of 15 countries whose fans may face the toughest road to the US– even if their teams make it to the tournament
Iran– Already qualified but currently banned
Iran has officially secured its place in the 2026 World Cup, qualifying through the Asian Football Confederation. However, it remains on the US travel ban list, which restricts entry for most citizens from listed countries. While FIFA and the host countries are expected to facilitate entry for players, coaches and immediate family members, ordinary fans and extended family members are not automatically included in these exemptions. Unless special accommodations are made, large portions of Iran’s fanbase may be unable to attend matches held in the United States.
Venezuela– Near qualification but currently restricted
Venezuela has not yet qualified, but remains in strong contention within CONMEBOL, South America’s soccer organization. Despite their competitive standing, the country faces several hurdles when it comes to US entry. Venezuela is subject to various travel restrictions, and visa approvals for its citizens have been inconsistent. A recent example involved a Venezuelan Little League team being denied entry to the US for a tournament, underscoring how current immigration challenges could extend to fans, even if the national team qualifies for the World Cup.
Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Algeria– Strong contenders on the watchlist
These four countries are among the top-performing teams in Africa and are likely to secure qualification through CAF, the Confederation of African Football. However, Egypt, Ghana, the Ivory Coast and Algeria are listed among 36 countries reportedly under review for possible future US travel restrictions. While no official ban is currently in place, if policies were to expand, as they did under President Trump’s first term, fans from these nations could see their access restricted.
Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Gabon, Senegal, Tanzania– Long shots but still at risk
These nations remain in contention for World Cup qualification, currently ranking second in their CAF qualifying groups. While their chances of qualifying are less certain, their fans may still face difficulties. All five are among the countries under review for potential future US travel bans. Should they qualify, supporters may encounter barriers similar to those faced by fans from higher-ranking teams, including long visa processing times, increased scrutiny and potential travel restrictions depending on future policy developments.
Colombia, Brazil, Peru and Turkey– Caught in the visa backlog
Even countries not facing travel bans are struggling with extremely long US visa wait times– a logistical nightmare for fans hoping to attend the 2026 World Cup. According to the National Travel and Tourism Office, foreign travel to the US has already dropped by 9.7% compared to last year, and projections suggest another 9.4% decline is on the way. One of the biggest reasons? A growing backlog in visa appointment availability.
In Colombia, the average wait time for a visa interview is now 18 months– which means fans would need to apply before the group stage even begins to form. In Brazil, Peru and Turkey, the backlog is even worse: wait times range from 400 to 700 days, pushing application windows back by nearly two years.
For many supporters, these delays could be a dealbreaker. Even the most dedicated fans may find themselves locked out– not because of policy, but because they simply couldn’t get an appointment in time. As the tournament approaches, these delays risk leaving entire sections of stadiums emptier than expected.
Additionally, a new $250-per-person Visa Integrity Fee adds another financial barrier for countries outside the Vise Waiver program (VWP). This program allows citizens of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days without needing a visa. These four countries are not a part of the VWP, meaning that, for example, a standard family of four would be required to spend an extra $1,000 on top of already-high travel costs. Though this fee is stated to be refundable, the process has remained unclear.
The bottom line
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, a number of factors may limit international attendance, particularly for fans from certain countries. While athletes, coaches and immediate family members are expected to receive the necessary exemptions to enter the US, many supporters may encounter obstacles through travel bans. Other countries, while not under current travel bans, are subject to existing restrictions or under review for future policy changes. In addition, some nations face extensive visa appointment backlogs, with wait times that may prevent fans from securing travel documents in time for the tournament. New fees, including the Visa Integrity Fee, may also create financial barriers for travelers from non Visa Waiver Program countries. These combined policy and logistical challenges could impact fan attendance from several qualifying or potentially qualifying nations, even as preparations continue for what is expected to be the largest World Cup in FIFA history.
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This article was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
