President Donald Trump has expanded his administration's controversial travel restrictions, adding two nations set to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The move has immediately sparked concern among football supporters who may now face significant hurdles entering the United States for next summer's tournament.
Which World Cup Nations Are Affected?
The latest proclamation from the White House imposes partial restrictions and entry limitations on Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and Senegal. This brings the total number of countries on the US travel ban list to 39. According to official statements, the decision was driven by visa overstay rates. Data from the Department of Homeland Security indicates overstay rates for standard visitor visas are approximately 4% for Senegal and 8% for Cote d'Ivoire.
It is crucial to note that these two African nations are in the least restrictive category of the ban. This contrasts sharply with other World Cup participants on the list, namely Haiti and Iran, which are subject to the most stringent restrictions possible.
Exemptions and the World Cup Visa Fast-Track
The White House proclamation did outline specific exemptions. Athletes, diplomats, and individuals whose entry serves US national interests from the affected countries will not be subject to the travel restrictions. However, it remains unclear how this applies to ordinary fans travelling to support their teams.
Earlier in December, the Trump administration's World Cup taskforce, chaired by Andrew Giuliani, unveiled a fast-track visa system designed for tournament visitors. This system prioritises match ticket-holders for visa interviews. The critical unanswered question is how this fast-track process will interact with applications from citizens of countries newly added to the travel ban list.
Tournament Logistics and Fan Impact
The 2026 World Cup is a historic joint venture, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The scheduling directly impacts fans from the newly restricted nations.
Cote d'Ivoire's Group E matches against Ecuador and Curacao are set for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with their third fixture against Germany in Toronto, Canada. Similarly, Senegal's group stage games against France and Norway are scheduled for New Jersey, with their third match also in Toronto. Additionally, Senegal is slated to play a warm-up friendly against the US Men's National Team in Charlotte, North Carolina, in May 2026.
This development adds another layer of scrutiny to the upcoming tournament, which has already faced criticism over exorbitant ticket prices under FIFA's dynamic pricing model. Following a backlash, football's governing body has released a new set of fixed-price tickets at £45, to be allocated through participating national associations.
The situation leaves thousands of passionate supporters in a state of uncertainty, balancing their hopes of witnessing football's greatest spectacle against the new realities of international travel policy.
