$15,000 Visa Barrier Targets African Countries Ahead of 2026 World Cup – Eduzim News

Sports Correspondent – The United States government has introduced a controversial requirement compelling African supporters planning to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup to pay a US$15,000 bond as part of a new “Visa Bond Pilot Program.”

According to reports by The Athletic, the policy does not currently provide a nationwide mechanism for waivers, and even athletes are not exempt from the requirement.

The measure targets travellers from several African nations, including Algeria, Cape Verde, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Tunisia—all of which are among the African teams that have secured qualification for the tournament.

Under the scheme, the US$15,000 payment is refundable, provided that travellers leave the United States in full compliance with their visa conditions. However, the high cost is widely expected to effectively exclude ordinary fans from attending the global football spectacle.

The impact is likely to be most severe for supporters of Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, whose teams are scheduled to play two group-stage matches in the United States and one in Canada. Tunisia will play one group match on US soil.

Meanwhile, Algeria and Cape Verde are expected to play all their group-stage fixtures in Mexico, meaning their supporters would only face the bond requirement if their teams advance to later rounds hosted in the US.

Sources indicate that FIFA is quietly engaging US authorities in an effort to secure exemptions for official delegations, including players, coaches, technical staff, and football administrators.

The policy has already triggered concern among participating nations, with multiple countries reportedly raising objections during pre-tournament meetings held in Atlanta earlier this month.

Related