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The administration of US President Donald Trump has announced that football supporters from 50 countries affected by a $15,000 visa bond policy will be exempt from the requirement if they are travelling to the United States for the World Cup with valid match tickets.
Among the countries benefiting from the exemption are Algeria, Cabo Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia, all of which have qualified for the tournament set to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico beginning on June 11.
Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar confirmed the decision, stating that eligible fans who have purchased World Cup tickets would no longer be required to pay the visa security bond.
The bond policy, introduced last year as part of a 12-month pilot programme, was aimed at reducing visa overstays and addressing concerns over insufficient screening and vetting information. Under the arrangement, the deposit would normally be refunded after visitors left the country.
Although players and coaches had already been exempt from the requirement, ordinary fans travelling for the tournament were not included until the latest announcement.
In response, FIFA welcomed the decision, describing it as evidence of continued cooperation with the White House to ensure a successful and memorable tournament.
Despite the waiver for football supporters, travellers from Iran and Haiti remain barred under existing travel restrictions, although athletes and coaching staff from those nations will still be permitted entry for World Cup-related activities.
The report also noted that travellers from countries such as Ivory Coast and Senegal remain subject to partial restrictions under an expanded travel policy.
Meanwhile, rights groups have expressed concern over additional immigration measures introduced by the US government, including a requirement for some travellers to provide up to five years of social media history before entry. Advocacy organisations warn that such measures could increase the risk of denied entry, surveillance, profiling and stricter border screening for visitors travelling to the World Cup.
