World Cup nation's fans banned from entering US for World Cup

Ivory Coast fans have been denied access to the US ahead of the World Cup, according to the president of the national supporters committee.

After months of anticipation, the 2026 World Cup is finally here as the opening match between hosts Mexico and South Africa is set to kick off at 20:00 BST on June 11.

The 2026 World Cup will be hosted across North America, with the United States, Mexico and Canada all hosting matches throughout the summer.

A record 48 tams will play in the competition across 104 matches with Canada and Mexico each hosting 13 matches while the USA will host 78, including the final set to take place on July 19 at New York's MetLife Stadium.

However, ahead of the tournament beginning there has been plenty of controversy surrounding fans arriving in the US to watch the match as some have been turned away due to visa issues.

Perhaps the most notable controversy came when Somali referee Omar Artan was turned away on Sunday, while some support staff for the Iranian team have been denied entry.

In a statement to SPORTbible on Monday surrounding Artan's status, FIFA said that it 'is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications'.

And now, Julien Kouadio Adonis, president of the National Committee of Elephants Supporters (CNSE), has revealed that trips for the country's small number of travelling fans have been cancelled because the US 'does not want' them there.

"The supporters have cancelled the trip because the US government does not want to see supporters from certain countries, including the Ivory Coast, on its soil. The United States has been clear with us, saying they do not want to see our supporters," Kouadio told AFP (via Supersport).

"This situation hurts us deeply because it prevents us from fulfilling our sacred duty, which is to support our team."

READ MORE: World Cup nation's kit banned by FIFA days before first game

In March, Kouadio had said that he hoped 500 fans would travel across the Atlantic to support the Ivory Coast for their matches in Group E.

Ivory Coast's World Cup fixtures

Ivory Coast begin their campaign with a match against Ecuador at 00:00 BST on June 15 at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

They will then travel to Toronto for their most difficult group stage match, facing Germany at the BMO Field at 21:00 on June 20.

In their final group stage match Ivory Coast will play Curaçao, who are competing at their first ever World Cup, on June 14 at 18:00 at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.