The United States has announced plans to relax its visa bond requirements for certain supporters and participants travelling for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
Gatekeepers News reports that the decision was disclosed on Wednesday as part of measures aimed at easing travel for the global football tournament, which will be jointly hosted by United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Under one of Donald Trump’s immigration policies, visa applicants from 50 developing countries have been required to pay refundable bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 before being granted entry into the US.
However, the US State Department said the bond requirement would be waived for team members participating in World Cup matches and for eligible fans from competing nations who already possess match tickets and have enrolled in a visa priority programme.
“We remain committed to strengthening US national security priorities while facilitating legitimate travel for the upcoming World Cup tournament,” said Mora Namdar.
She added that the Trump administration was determined to deliver the “biggest and best FIFA World Cup in history.”
FIFA welcomed the move, describing it as part of ongoing cooperation with the US government and the White House Task Force on the World Cup.
“Today’s announcement from the US State Department further demonstrates our ongoing collaboration with the US Government and the White House Task Force for the FIFA World Cup to deliver a successful, record-breaking, and unforgettable global event,” a FIFA spokesperson said.
Among countries whose citizens are still subject to visa bond requirements are Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia — all of which have qualified for the World Cup.
The report also noted that Haiti and Iran, both World Cup qualifiers, currently face severe US entry restrictions under the Trump administration.
In addition, the US government has expanded scrutiny for travellers from allied Western countries by requesting access to applicants’ social media activity during the visa process.
A study conducted by the Mendoza Law Firm found that Haiti could struggle to send supporters to the tournament due to the restrictions.
The study further stated that in some affected countries, the $15,000 visa bond represents the equivalent of nearly three years’ average income.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to kick off on June 11.
