- US Relaxes Visa Bond Policy For 2026 FIFA World Cup Fans
- FIFA welcomes US decision ahead of global football tournament.
- Haiti, Iran among countries facing tougher US travel restrictions.
The United States government has announced plans to relax part of its visa policy for some football fans travelling to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Under President Donald Trump’s immigration measures, visa applicants from about 50 developing countries are currently required to pay refundable visa bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 before entering the United States.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that however, the US State Department said the bond requirement would be waived for players, officials and some fans travelling for the World Cup.
According to the department, fans from participating countries who already possess match tickets and have registered under a priority visa arrangement will not be required to pay the bond.
Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, Mora Namdar, said the decision was part of efforts to balance national security with preparations for the global football tournament.
“We remain committed to strengthening US national security priorities while facilitating legitimate travel for the upcoming World Cup tournament,” Namdar said.
She added that the Trump administration was determined to organise the “biggest and best FIFA World Cup in history.”
FIFA also welcomed the decision, describing it as part of ongoing collaboration with the United States government ahead of the competition.
“Today’s announcement from the US State Department further demonstrates our ongoing collaboration with the US Government and the White House Task Force for the FIFA World Cup to deliver a successful, record-breaking and unforgettable global event,” a FIFA spokesperson said.
Reports showed that five countries already qualified for the tournament are among nations affected by the visa bond policy. They include Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia.
The report also noted that Haiti and Iran, two other qualified countries, are facing severe US travel restrictions under the Trump administration.
Meanwhile, visitors from several Western countries are also expected to face increased scrutiny, including checks of their social media accounts as part of visa processing procedures.
A study by the Mendoza Law Firm reportedly stated that the high visa bond could prevent many football fans from attending the tournament, especially from poorer countries where the required amount represents several years of average income.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will kick off on June 11 and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
