Trump admin waves visa bonds for World Cup fans
Key takeaways
- Travelers to the United States from 50 countries are required to pay the new bond, and five of those countries have qualified for the World Cup -- Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia.
- - Amnesty International issues World Cup travel advisory - World Cup 2026 Power Rankings, 30 days out: Who is No. 1?
- "The United States is excited to organize the biggest and best FIFA World Cup in history," Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar said.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
The department imposed the bond requirement last year for countries that it said had high rates of people overstaying their visas and other security issues as part of the Republican administration's broader crackdown on immigration. Travelers to the United States from 50 countries are required to pay the new bond, and five of those countries have qualified for the World Cup -- Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia.
- Amnesty International issues World Cup travel advisory - World Cup 2026 Power Rankings, 30 days out: Who is No. 1?
"The United States is excited to organize the biggest and best FIFA World Cup in history," Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar said. "We are waiving visa bonds for qualified fans who bought World Cup tickets" and opted in to the FIFA Pass system that allows expedited visa appointments as of April 15.