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The Trump administration eased visa requirements for World Cup spectators. |
The Trump administration has decided to temporarily suspend visa deposit requirements for fans from Algeria, Cabo Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia, the teams that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup.
This is a noteworthy move, given that the US continues to maintain many strict immigration policies ahead of the world's biggest soccer tournament.
Previously, the US State Department imposed a deposit requirement of $5,000 to $15,000 on citizens of 50 countries with high visa overstay rates or existing security concerns.
This regulation had previously caused many African fans to worry about their ability to travel to the US to watch the World Cup.
However, those who possess valid World Cup tickets and participate in the FIFA Pass system will now be exempt from the deposit requirement.
Mora Namdar, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, affirmed that Washington wants to host "the biggest and greatest World Cup in history."
This decision is seen as a rare concession by the Trump administration on immigration issues. Previously, players, coaches, and team members were given priority in visa issuance, but fans were still required to comply with full control regulations.
However, many other barriers remain. Iranian and Haitian citizens are still banned from entering the US, except for team members. Senegalese and Ivorian citizens also continue to face some restrictions under the new border control policies.
According to ESPN , FIFA has been lobbying the US to waive the deposit requirement for months. With the 2026 World Cup less than a month away, pressure from sponsors, human rights organizations, and the tourism industry is forcing US officials to find a solution to avoid the tournament's image being overshadowed by immigration issues.
Source: https://znews.vn/my-ra-quyet-dinh-moi-cho-world-cup-post1651347.html
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