US Travel Ban Threatens World Cup Attendance for Senegal and Ivory Coast Supporters

US Travel Ban Threatens World Cup Attendance for Senegal and Ivory Coast Supporters

By Our Reporter 

New travel restrictions introduced by the administration of former US President Donald Trump could prevent football supporters from Senegal and Ivory Coast from attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches hosted in the United States, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Under a proclamation signed on Tuesday, entry into the US has been suspended for nationals of Senegal and Ivory Coast seeking short-term visits, including tourism. The policy effectively bars fans from both countries from travelling to the US to support their teams during the tournament.

The decision comes despite Senegal and Ivory Coast having qualified for the expanded 48-team World Cup, raising the number of participating nations affected by US travel restrictions to four.

Senegal have been drawn in Group I alongside France, Norway and the winner of a playoff involving Bolivia, Iraq or Suriname. Their group matches against France and Norway are scheduled to take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Senegal’s remaining fixture, against the playoff winner, will be played in Toronto, Canada, where the US restrictions do not apply.

Ivory Coast face a similar situation in Group E, where they will compete against Germany, Ecuador and Curaçao. Their matches against Ecuador and Curaçao are set to be staged in the United States, while their high-profile clash with Germany will be held in Canada.

Existing executive orders provide exemptions for players, coaching staff and immediate family members, ensuring that national teams can still enter the United States. As a result, prominent players such as Senegal’s Iliman Ndiaye and Nicolas Jackson, along with Ivory Coast stars Amad Diallo and Evann Guessand, will not be affected by the ban.

However, these exemptions do not extend to ordinary supporters, leaving tens of thousands of fans unable to attend matches hosted on US soil.

More Nations Added to Restricted List

Senegal and Ivory Coast are among 15 countries added to the latest proclamation, expanding an earlier list of 12 nations announced in June. That initial list included World Cup qualifiers Iran and Haiti, whose supporters also face significant barriers to attending matches in the United States.

The White House has stated that exemptions remain in place for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, certain visa categories such as athletes and diplomats, and individuals whose entry is deemed to serve US national interests.

Rising Concerns Ahead of the Tournament

The travel restrictions add to mounting concerns surrounding the US-hosted portion of the 2026 World Cup. High ticket prices have already attracted criticism, prompting FIFA to introduce a limited £45 “supporter entry tier” ticket made available through national football associations.

That initiative has been widely criticised, with reports suggesting that less than two per cent of total seating allocations are available at the reduced price, offering little relief to affected fans.

With the tournament set to kick off on June 11, 2026, uncertainty continues to surround the matchday experience for many international supporters hoping to attend games in the United States.