In a move with significant implications for global football, President Donald Trump has extended his administration's controversial travel restrictions to include two nations set to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire have been added to the list of countries facing entry limitations, joining fellow World Cup qualifiers Haiti and Iran, who were already subject to the policy.
Details of the Expanded Restrictions
The proclamation, signed by the President on Tuesday, brings the total number of nations covered by the sweeping ban to 18. According to a White House statement, the two African nations face "partial restrictions and entry limitations," which currently represent the least restrictive category within the policy framework. The restrictions for Haiti and Iran are notably more stringent.
The official justification provided for adding Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire centres on visa overstay rates. Data from the US Department of Homeland Security indicates that for the B1/B2 visitor visas required by travelling fans, the overstay rate is approximately 4% for Senegal and 8% for Côte d'Ivoire.
World Cup Implications and Exemptions
The 2026 tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, begins on 11 June. Côte d'Ivoire will compete in Group E against Germany, Curaçao, and Ecuador, while Senegal is in Group I with France, Norway, and a European playoff winner. Notably, Senegal is scheduled to play the United States men's national team in a pre-tournament friendly in Charlotte, North Carolina, on 31 May.
While some supporters may encounter hurdles, the proclamation outlines specific exemptions. Athletes, diplomats, and "individuals whose entry serves U.S. national interests" will not be subject to the ban. This suggests that national team players and official delegations should be able to enter the country for the competition.
Uncertainty for Fans and Fast-Track Systems
The Trump administration's World Cup taskforce, led by Andrew Giuliani, previously unveiled a fast-track visa system for ticket-holders in December. The FIFA-prioritised appointment scheduling system is designed to push fans to the front of the queue for visa interviews. However, it remains unclear how this expedited process will interact with the new restrictions for citizens of the affected nations.
This development adds another layer of controversy to the 2026 World Cup, which has already faced scrutiny over FIFA's ticketing strategy—including dynamic pricing criticised for exorbitant costs—and broader questions about immigration policy under the current US administration.
