Trump’s Travel Bans Impact World Cup Visa Process – The Athletic
The upcoming FIFA World Cup is set to kick off on June 11, 2026, across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. However, recent decisions by the Trump administration regarding travel bans and visa processing have raised significant concerns for fans, officials, and players hoping to attend the tournament.
Impact of Trump’s Travel Bans on World Cup Visa Process
Since Trump took office again in January 2025, the U.S. has implemented a series of travel bans and paused visa processing for numerous countries. This has directly affected nationals from four countries—Senegal, Ivory Coast, Iran, and Haiti—that have qualified for the World Cup.
Concerns Over Visa Processing
- On a recent Wednesday, the U.S. State Department confirmed a suspension of visa processing for immigrant applicants from 75 countries.
- This change has generated alarm among applicants worldwide and implications for World Cup entrants.
- Nations affected include Algeria, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, and several others.
FIFA has begun ticket applications, receiving over 500 million requests from fans globally. However, a significant subset of these nations faced barriers to entry due to these stringent travel measures.
List of Affected Nations
Countries that have already secured their places in the World Cup and are impacted include:
- Algeria
- Brazil
- Colombia
- Egypt
- Ghana
- Haiti
- Iran
- Ivory Coast
- Jordan
- Morocco
- Senegal
- Tunisia
- Uzbekistan
- Uruguay
Additionally, nations still vying for qualification through the playoffs include: Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Jamaica, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Iraq, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Travel Restrictions and Visa Application Processes
While immigration-related restrictions pose challenges, it’s crucial to note that fans traveling for the World Cup may apply for non-immigrant visas. These include tourist and business visas, which are not impacted by the new pause in visa processing.
Visitors from nations not under travel restrictions can utilize the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which permits travel without a visa for stays under 90 days. This exemption applies to many European countries, as well as Japan, South Korea, and Australia.
Wait Times and Appointment Availability
Long wait times for visa appointments at U.S. consulates pose further challenges. Recent reports indicate delays exceeding six months for applicants from countries like Morocco and Ecuador. Efforts to expedite visa processing have been made, including the allocation of $50 million to reduce passport backlogs.
FIFA PASS Initiative
In November, the Trump administration announced the creation of the FIFA PASS. This initiative offers prioritized visa appointments for ticket holders, aiming to facilitate entry for World Cup fans. However, it is essential to emphasize that possessing a ticket does not guarantee admission to the U.S.
Long-Term Implications for International Attendance
The travel restrictions and visa processing challenges could impact attendance numbers at the World Cup, which may rely heavily on international visitors. This represents a potential setback for host cities hoping to leverage the economic advantages of the tournament.
In summary, the combination of stringent travel bans and delays in visa processing presents a complex scenario for World Cup stakeholders. As the tournament approaches, concerted efforts will be essential to ensure accessibility for fans from around the globe, facilitating a truly international celebration of football.
