Both fans and players could be forced to pay to enter the US ahead of the 2026 World Cup, as the Trump administration has put forward policy changes impacting citizens of several countries.
With the World Cup just 72 days away, concerns remain over several issues, including the presence of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents near and inside stadiums, travel bans, and the general political climate under Donald Trump’s presidency.
Last week, it emerged that nationals from several countries – specifically those travelling on B-1 and B-2 visas – may be affected by policy changes to bond payments introduced by the Trump administration.
Fifty countries are affected by the changes, including five that have qualified for the upcoming World Cup.
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The policy has already affected citizens of Algeria, Cape Verde, Senegal and Ivory Coast since 21 January 2026, while Tunisia was added to the list last week.
As per The Athletic, a US State Department spokesperson said all applicants are subject to the same legal standards in line with visa requirements. They must also pay a bond of up to $15,000 to enter the US for the tournament.
If a traveller exits the US under the terms of the visa, the bond will generally be refunded. It will also be refunded if they decide against travelling.
It remains unclear whether athletes are exempt from the rule, but there is nothing in the policy to suggest players or football federation officials, for example, would have the rules waived ahead of the tournament.
As per the Federal Register, “there will be no bond waiver application process”.
The Trump administration said it was imposing the bonds on countries with high visa overstay rates.
“The visa bond programme has already proven effective at drastically reducing the number of visa recipients who overstay their visas and illegally remain in the United States,” the State Department said last week.
The decision came just days before human rights organisation Amnesty International published a 36-page report urging Trump to take action, while accusing the government of unlawful arrests and deportations, which undermine “the rights to liberty and security” of migrants and refugees.
The organisation also suggested that individuals face intrusive surveillance, including being subject to “anti-American” social media screening upon entering the nation and claimed the US is “facing a human rights emergency” ahead of the tournament.
The World Cup gets underway on 11 June, with co-hosts Mexico set to host South Africa in the tournament’s opener in Mexico City.
Topics: Donald Trump, Football
Luke Davies