Visa barriers threaten World Cup dreams for fans from several nations
Fans from Iraq, Senegal and Jordan face US visa challenges ahead of World Cup
Thousands of football fans from several World Cup-qualified nations are facing major difficulties obtaining visas to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, raising concerns about access to the tournament for supporters from parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
Supporters from countries including Iraq, Senegal, Jordan, Ivory Coast and Iran have reported visa delays, travel restrictions and high rejection rates, with some fans abandoning plans despite already purchasing match tickets and travel arrangements.
In Iraq, visa processing was disrupted after the United States suspended routine consular services following regional security tensions linked to the Iran-Israel conflict, forcing some applicants to travel abroad in unsuccessful attempts to secure visas.
US visa policies have also become a source of frustration for fan groups, particularly after tighter immigration measures and restrictions affecting several participating nations.
According to BBC analysis cited in the report, visa rejection rates exceeded 40 percent for citizens of 11 countries qualified for the World Cup.
Football supporters’ associations in countries such as Ivory Coast and Jordan described the situation as discouraging, with many fans deciding not to apply due to low approval chances and high travel costs.
While FIFA introduced the “FIFA Pass” system to help ticket holders obtain faster visa appointments, immigration experts noted that it does not increase the likelihood of visa approval, as final decisions remain with US authorities.
The United States, Canada and Mexico will jointly host the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, although most matches, including the final, will be played in the US.
