US President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino maintain a 2026 FIFA World Cup ultimate match ticket that was introduced to President Trump within the Oval Workplace on the White Home in Washington, DC, US., August 22, 2025. — Reuters
The Trump administration will quickly waive visa bond necessities for eligible World Cup ticket-holders from international locations topic to a controversial US journey deposit scheme, a State Division official mentioned on Wednesday.
Residents from 50 international locations have been required since final yr to pay deposits starting from $5,000 to $15,000 to acquire vacationer visas for the USA, with the cash refunded upon departure. Washington mentioned the measure was launched to stop visa overstays.
Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar mentioned the bond requirement would now be lifted for qualifying soccer followers attending this summer season’s FIFA World Cup.
“(The United States is) waiving visa bonds for qualified fans who bought World Cup tickets and opted in to FIFA PASS as of April 15, 2026,” Namdar instructed Al Jazeera.
The waiver additionally applies to eligible gamers, coaches and group employees from the affected international locations.
5 nations topic to the visa bond guidelines certified for the World Cup: Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia.
Nevertheless, separate Trump administration restrictions stay in place for some international locations, together with Haiti and Iran, whose residents face broader entry bans underneath US immigration directives.
“We remain committed to strengthening US national security priorities while facilitating legitimate travel for the upcoming World Cup tournament,” Namdar mentioned in an announcement.
The FIFA World Cup will happen in June and July throughout the USA, Canada and Mexico. The match opens on June 11 in Mexico, whereas the primary match in the USA is scheduled for June 12 in Inglewood, California. The ultimate will likely be performed on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The US launched the FIFA PASS system in January to hurry up visa processing for ticket-holders. To qualify for the waiver, followers from affected international locations needed to register by means of the programme by April 15.
The administration’s immigration crackdown has drawn scrutiny forward of the match, together with considerations over the presence of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers at venues.
Human Rights Watch final month urged FIFA to hunt an “ICE Truce” in the course of the match, together with ensures towards immigration enforcement operations at stadiums and associated websites.
The Division of Homeland Safety mentioned worldwide guests attending the video games “have nothing to worry about” in the event that they maintain authorized immigration standing.
