Fans protest US travel restrictions for World Cup attendance

BBC Sport • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 7, 2026, 11:00 PM

Last updated Jun 7, 2026

Fans protest US travel restrictions for World Cup attendance

Summary

Soccer fans worldwide express frustration over US travel bans and visa challenges preventing their attendance at the World Cup. Many, including Iraqi fan Abdulla Adnan, face difficulties obtaining visas due to strict regulations and closures of US consulates in their home countries. Countries like Haiti, Iran, Senegal, and Ivory Coast are affected by restrictions that inhibit their citizens from receiving recommended visitor visas for the tournament. The travel situation has led some fan associations to abandon plans to attend. Fans argue that such barriers should disqualify the US from hosting the World Cup, emphasizing the need for inclusivity in international sporting events.

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Key Details

•Iraq's Abdulla Adnan struggles to get a US visa to see matches.
•Over a quarter of participating nations face travel bans or high rejection rates.
•Fans from the Ivory Coast and other nations criticize visa requirements as segregation.
•US visa application fees and processes create additional barriers for fans.
•Some fan associations decide not to pursue attendance due to high costs and restrictions.

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