The teams affected by the measure are Senegal, Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast and Tunisia
Less than three months before the start of the 2026 World Cup, an off-field decision by the United States government generated controversy and diplomatic tension in the sporting scene. Donald Trump’s administration announced that players, technical committees and fans of five African nations must pay a high fee to obtain a visa to enter the country.
The requirement consists of a security deposit worth US$15,000 per person (approximately R$79,000 at current exchange rates). According to the US government, the amount acts as a financial guarantee: the amount would be refunded in full to visitors as soon as they left United States territory after the end of their teams’ participation in the tournament.
The selections affected by the measure are:
- Senegal;
- Algeria;
- Cape Verde;
- Ivory Coast;
- Tunisia.
FIFA seeks intervention
The measure caused immediate outrage among the football federations of the countries involved, who claim that the cost is prohibitive and discriminatory, especially for fans.
Faced with the impasse, FIFA reported that it opened a direct negotiation line with the White House. However, the focus of football’s highest governing body is restricted: the attempted exemption should only cover players and members of the technical committees, leaving fans from these five nations still under the obligation to pay to watch the World Cup.
