US Visa Curbs Snare Fans From 11 World Cup Nations as Rejection Rates Top 40%
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 7
US Visa Curbs Snare Fans From 11 World Cup Nations as Rejection Rates Top 40%
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 7
Summary
More than a quarter of the 48 qualified World Cup nations face US travel bans, tighter visa rules or rejection rates above 40%, leaving many supporters unable or unwilling to attend matches.
Iraqi fan Abdulla Adnan spent about $1,800 on tickets and a trip to Jordan, only to be told he could not get a visa there after the US suspended routine consular services in Iraq.
Four qualified teams — Haiti, Iran, Senegal and Ivory Coast — are on Trump’s visa restriction list, while standard fan visas cost $185 and still require in-person interviews and proof of intent to leave.
BBC analysis found 11 qualified countries had overall US visa refusal rates above 40% in the year to September 2025, versus a 34% average for B1/B2 business and tourist visas.
The State Department says it is ready to welcome visitors but will keep rigorous vetting, underscoring how US immigration policy could shape access to a tournament where 78 of 104 matches are in the US.
How will US visa hurdles for this World Cup influence where future global sporting events are held?
What is the economic price US host cities are paying for barring thousands of international World Cup fans?
2026 World Cup Visa Crisis: US Entry Restrictions Jeopardize Teams, Fans, and Billions in Economic Impact
Overview
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins, US visa restrictions are causing major logistical problems for teams and significant frustration and financial losses for fans. The Iranian national team faces a visa dispute, with key staff denied entry, leading to public accusations of political bias by Iran’s football federation and calls for FIFA to intervene. These visa hurdles, driven by strict US policies, have created a wave of challenges for international participants and supporters, casting a shadow over the tournament’s opening weeks and raising concerns about fairness and inclusivity at this global event.