A fresh U.S. proclamation signed by President Donald Trump could prevent supporters from four countries already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup from traveling into the United States to watch matches.
With the tournament set to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, any new U.S. entry restrictions are a major concern for travelling fans — especially those hoping to attend games hosted on American soil.
What’s new in the latest proclamation?
According to the announcement, the White House has expanded travel restrictions on nationals from countries it says have “persistent and severe deficiencies” in screening, vetting, and information-sharing.
The new move builds on an earlier restriction package issued in June, which included:
- 12 countries facing full bans
- 7 countries facing partial restrictions affecting certain travelers
Now, the latest update reportedly adds more countries to the partial restriction list, affecting both immigrants and non-immigrants — including categories used for tourism and short visits, the same type many fans rely on to attend major sporting events.
The four World Cup-qualified nations most affected
Fans from these qualified countries could be blocked from entering the U.S. under the updated restrictions:
- Senegal
- Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
- Haiti
- Iran
Senegal and Ivory Coast are described as newly added under partial restrictions, while Haiti and Iran were included in the earlier set of restrictions.
Why Senegal and Ivory Coast were included
The proclamation cites visa overstay rates as part of the justification:
- Ivory Coast: 8.47% overstay rate (business/visitor)
- Senegal: 4.3% overstay rate (business/visitor), and 13.07% (student/cultural exchange categories)
Will teams still be allowed to play?
The reported policy includes exemptions for players, direct support staff, and immediate relatives — meaning the teams themselves can still participate even if their supporters face major travel hurdles.
A growing issue ahead of World Cup 2026
The timing adds pressure to a tournament already facing heated discussion about access, logistics, and security.
A White House official involved with World Cup planning also previously suggested that additional restrictions could be introduced, stressing that “every visa decision is a national security decision.”
For fans, the biggest concern is simple: even with tickets and plans ready, entry rules could stop travel at the border or prevent visas from being issued.