Particle.news
Download on the App Store

U.S. Travel Ban Blocks Senegal and Ivory Coast Fans From World Cup Matches in America

Most supporters from the affected nations remain barred from U.S. stadiums despite exemptions for official team delegations and immediate relatives.

Overview

  • Senegal and Ivory Coast were added in December to U.S. entry restrictions, affecting fans’ plans for the June 11–July 19 tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
  • The policy grants travel exceptions to players, team officials and immediate relatives but offers no allowance for supporters, effectively barring most without existing visas.
  • Supporters and team figures at the Africa Cup of Nations voiced dismay, and Ivory Coast coach Emerse Faé expressed hope for a solution, though no change has been announced.
  • Fans from Iran and Haiti, which also qualified, face the same U.S. restrictions that exclude most supporters.
  • In November, the administration announced a 'FIFA Pass' to prioritize visa appointments and deployed over 400 additional consular officers, measures that expedite processing but do not lift the ban for barred nationalities.