World Cup Fans Face US Travel Restrictions
Monday, 2026/06/08196 words3 minutes1445 reads
When Iraq qualified for the World Cup, Abdulla Adnan immediately bought tickets to see his team play in Boston and Philadelphia. This is only Iraq's second World Cup qualification since 1986. However, getting a US visa has become impossible for him and many other fans.
The BBC analysis shows that fans from more than a quarter of participating countries face travel bans, strict restrictions, or high visa rejection rates. After tensions in the Middle East, the US suspended visa services in Iraq. Adnan traveled to Jordan to apply at the embassy there, but was turned away because he wasn't a Jordanian citizen. The failed attempt cost him $1,800.
Four World Cup teams—Haiti, Iran, Senegal, and Ivory Coast—are on President Trump's travel ban list. Julien Kouadio Adonis from Ivory Coast's fan association calls this "a form of segregation." His group decided not to even attempt traveling to the US. Meanwhile, 42 wealthy countries enjoy visa-free travel through an online system costing just $40, while others must pay $185 and attend in-person interviews. Data shows 11 countries have visa rejection rates above 40%, making it risky for fans to buy expensive tickets before knowing if they can travel.
