Visitors from Iran and Haiti already face severe travel restrictions to enter the United States and now fans from Senegal and Ivory Coast too will have tough time acquiring visas for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Fans from Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) could face “partial restrictions” and “entry limitations” in their bid to visit the United States for the upcoming FIFA World Cup that takes place in the summer of 2026.
The United States government, led by Donald Trump, has further strengthened entry restrictions for people coming into the country from these nations in the wake of the recent events.
FIFA World Cup: Restrictions for Senegal and Ivory Coast fans
Recently, a man with origins in Afghanistan allegedly shot down two National Guard troops near the White House. This incident has forced the authorities in the United States to push for more restrictions on people visiting the country.
The US government said that overstay rates for tourists on B1 or B2 visitor visas from a certain few countries were high and that became the reason for their ban.
A statement on the White House website read: “Today, President Donald J. Trump signed a Proclamation expanding and strengthening entry restrictions on nationals from countries with demonstrated, persistent, and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing to protect the Nation from national security and public safety threats.”
The new order lays “partial restrictions and entry limitations” for Senegal and the Ivory Coast within a scheme that now affects 39 countries.
FIFA World Cup: Will athletes from these countries also face problem?
No, atheltes, support staff and their close relatives from these countries will be allowed to travel to the United States without extra scrutiny.
“Any athlete or member of an athletic team, including the coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives, travelling for the World Cup, Olympics or other major sporting event, as determined by the secretary of state,” the statement further read.
Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire are scheduled to play two group-stage games each in the United States.
Haiti and Iran, two more countries that have qualified for the World Cup, are already facing severe travel restrictions.
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