The administration of Donald Trump has moved to exempt football fans from around 50 countries from a previously introduced $15,000 visa deposit requirement if they travel to the United States with valid FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets.
The World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico beginning on June 11.
Among the countries affected by the earlier visa deposit policy, five — Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia — have already qualified for the tournament.
According to Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar, eligible fans who have purchased World Cup tickets will no longer need to pay the visa deposit.
The visa deposit requirement, introduced last year, was part of a 12-month pilot programme aimed at reducing visa overstays and strengthening immigration screening procedures.
Under the original policy, the deposit would have been refunded after the visitor’s departure from the United States.
While players and coaching staff had already been exempted, ordinary spectators with confirmed tickets had not previously been included in the exemption.
FIFA welcomed the decision, stating that it reflects ongoing cooperation with the White House to ensure a successful and memorable tournament.
