Fans and players from five African World Cup countries face $15,000 bond to enter US | World Cup 2026
A recently expanded Trump administration policy could require travelers from five World Cup-qualified countries to pay a deposit of up to $15,000 in order to enter the United States for the tournament.
Visa bonds function like security deposits: a one-time payment intended to be refunded after a traveler leaves the United States under the terms of their visa. The amounts typically range from $5,000 to $15,000 and are required for passport holders from certain countries to legally enter the United States on a B-1 or B-2 visa, the type required for business travelers or tourists.
The U.S. State Department has required these bonds since launching a pilot program in late 2025, targeting many of the countries affected by Trump’s travel ban, as well as others — primarily countries in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and parts of Asia. Last week, the State Department announced an expansion of the program, with visitors from 50 countries required to submit deposits if requested by the U.S. consulate.
Among these 50 countries, five qualified for the World Cup, all from Africa: Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia. Although refundable, the cost of the bonds alone is enough to make travel to the United States prohibitive for most fans from those countries, who have average annual incomes of about $5,000 a year or less. Tunisia is expected to play one group stage match in the United States and the other two in Mexico. Senegal and Ivory Coast will play twice in the United States and once in Canada. Algeria and Cape Verde will play their three group stage matches in Mexico.
While affordable for some fans, the several thousand dollar requirement will be another headache to add to the list of potential complications for fans in these countries, including high ticket prices for the games themselves, well-above-average hotel prices, as well as other delays in visa processing and potential security concerns created by the presence of federal immigration agents from ICE and other agencies in U.S. cities.
It is not clear which entities, if any, will be exempt from visa requirements. While Trump’s travel bans contain exemptions for athletes and officials participating in major sporting events like the World Cup, the visa requirements program contains no such exemptions.
The 2026 World Cup will begin on June 11 with the final taking place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
