With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to begin on June 11 at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca, millions of football supporters are preparing for what promises to be one of the biggest sporting events in history. However, some travelers are closely monitoring US immigration policies as the tournament approaches.

The World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the majority of matches—including the championship final—scheduled to take place in the United States. As a result, visa and entry requirements have become an important topic for fans planning their journeys.

New US Immigration Measures Raise Questions

In 2025, the US administration announced changes affecting immigrant visa processing for citizens of dozens of countries. The policy, which began taking effect in January 2026, suspended the processing of immigrant visas for nationals from 75 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and parts of Eastern Europe.

The initiative was introduced as part of broader immigration reforms aimed at limiting legal immigration from countries considered more likely to generate demand for public assistance programs.

While the announcement created uncertainty among some international travelers, authorities have clarified that the restrictions primarily concern immigrant visas rather than short-term travel permits.

Photo: pbs.org

What Does This Mean for World Cup Fans?

For most football supporters, the impact is expected to be limited. Tourist and business visas, as well as other non-immigrant travel categories, continue to be processed under existing procedures.

As a result, fans planning to attend World Cup matches in the United States should generally still be able to apply for visitor visas and travel authorizations, provided they meet the normal entry requirements.

Nevertheless, concerns increased after reports emerged involving Swiss international Breel Embolo, whose travel authorization application was reportedly denied. Media reports linked the issue to legal matters in Switzerland rather than the broader immigration policy changes.

At present, there is no widespread evidence that World Cup supporters from affected nations are being prevented from attending matches solely because of the immigrant visa suspension.

Countries Included in the Immigrant Visa Suspension

The list covers 75 nations from various regions around the world, including:

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Myanmar, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, North Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.

Special Attention on Côte d'Ivoire

Among the countries mentioned, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) has attracted particular attention because of separate restrictions affecting certain non-immigrant visa categories.

According to immigration specialists, some visa classifications used by tourists, students, and exchange visitors have faced additional limitations for applicants from the country. This has raised questions about whether supporters could encounter additional hurdles when making travel arrangements.

Good News for Some Supporters

Despite the concerns, there has also been positive news for football fans. US authorities announced that ticket holders from Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Tunisia would not be required to pay the visa deposit previously required for certain travelers.

As the countdown to kick-off continues, most supporters are expected to travel without major disruptions, though visitors are encouraged to check the latest visa requirements well in advance of their departure dates.

For football fans around the globe, the focus remains on the action on the pitch as North America prepares to host one of the most anticipated World Cups in the tournament's history.