Four national teams' supporters—Haiti, Iran, Senegal, Ivory Coast—face US entry restrictions for 2026 matches, sparking debate over fairness in global sport.
Which countries' fans are banned from US World Cup games?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to be the biggest football tournament in history, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Millions of fans from around the world are preparing to travel, book tickets and follow their national teams. However, for supporters from several countries, attending matches in the United States may be impossible due to US travel and visa restrictions.
In recent years, the US government has imposed broad immigration and travel bans on citizens from dozens of countries. These policies are based on national security concerns, visa overstay rates and the quality of passport screening systems in certain nations. While the rules include exemptions for athletes and official delegations participating in major international sporting events, ordinary fans are not covered by these exceptions.
As a result, holding a valid World Cup ticket does not guarantee entry into the United States. Fans must still qualify for and receive a US visitor visa, something that citizens of certain countries are currently unable to obtain.
Four World Cup-qualified nations are most directly affected by these restrictions.
Haiti has qualified for the 2026 World Cup, marking a historic achievement for the Caribbean nation. However, Haitian citizens are subject to some of the strictest US travel restrictions. While players, coaches and team officials will be allowed to enter the US under special exemptions, ordinary Haitian supporters are generally unable to obtain tourist visas. This means most fans will not be able to travel to US cities to support their team in person.
Iran is also heavily affected. Iranian citizens remain under long standing US travel restrictions. Although the Iranian national team will be permitted to enter the United States to compete in the World Cup, Iranian fans are largely barred from entry. Supporters have expressed frustration that they can watch their team play on American soil but are not allowed to be present in the stadiums.
Senegal faces partial US travel restrictions. While the country is not under a full ban, tourist visas are limited and approvals are difficult to obtain. As a result, many Senegalese fans are expected to be denied entry to the US or discouraged from applying altogether. This has caused disappointment among supporters who hoped to follow their team during one of the most important tournaments in global football.
Ivory Coast, also known as Côte d'Ivoire, is in a similar situation. The country is subject to partial visa restrictions that make it difficult for ordinary citizens to travel to the United States for tourism. Although not every application is automatically rejected, the approval rate is low, meaning most Ivorian fans are unlikely to attend matches held in US stadiums.
Under current US policy, the following groups are allowed to enter the country for the World Cup. Players, coaching staff, medical teams, referees, match officials and essential tournament personnel are all exempt from the restrictions. Ordinary supporters, extended family members and independent travelers are not included in these exemptions.
Because the 2026 World Cup is hosted across three countries, some fans may still be able to attend matches outside the United States. Canada and Mexico do not apply the same travel bans, and fans from Senegal and Ivory Coast may be able to watch matches held in those countries if their teams play there. However, Iran and Haiti are scheduled to play all their matches in the United States, leaving their supporters with no alternative host country to attend in person.
The situation has sparked global debate. Fans, human rights organizations and football commentators argue that the World Cup is meant to be a universal celebration that brings nations together. Critics say excluding fans based on nationality undermines the spirit of the tournament and creates a divided experience where teams are welcomed but supporters are left behind.
Supporters from affected countries have described the restrictions as unfair and deeply disappointing. Many argue that football should remain separate from politics and that loyal fans should not be punished by immigration policies unrelated to sport.
As preparations for the 2026 World Cup continue, the issue remains unresolved. Unless US visa policies change, thousands of fans from Haiti, Iran, Senegal and Ivory Coast may be forced to watch the world's biggest football event from afar, not by choice, but by regulation.
The controversy highlights a growing tension between global sporting events and national immigration policies, raising an uncomfortable question. Can a World Cup truly be global if not all fans are allowed to attend?
Source:https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cp37kpqpdq2o
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