Nationals from 39 countries face US travel bans that could block them from attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Four qualified nations — Haiti, Iran, Cote d’Ivoire, and Senegal — are directly affected, with fans from these countries barred from entering the United States for matches in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and other host cities.
Which Countries Face a World Cup Travel Ban?
The US government imposed restrictions through two presidential proclamations in 2025 that together affect nationals from 39 countries. The bans specifically suspend tourist visa categories, meaning most fans from these nations cannot obtain the B-1/B-2 visitor visas needed to attend World Cup matches on US soil.
Full Travel Restrictions (19 Countries)
Presidential Proclamation 10843, signed on 4 June 2025, suspended all visa categories for nationals of 19 countries. Holders of Palestinian Authority travel documents are also covered under the same proclamation.
- Afghanistan
- Burkina Faso
- Burma (Myanmar)
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Laos
- Libya
- Mali
- Niger
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Yemen
Partial Restrictions (20 Countries)
Presidential Proclamation 10998, effective 1 January 2026, added 20 more countries with suspended B-1/B-2 tourist, student, and exchange visitor visas.
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Benin
- Burundi
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Cuba
- Dominica
- Gabon
- The Gambia
- Malawi
- Mauritania
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Tonga
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
For the complete breakdown of each country’s restrictions, see our US travel ban 2026 guide.
Which World Cup Teams Are Directly Affected?
Of the 48 nations competing in the tournament, four sit on the US travel ban list. Their players and coaches are exempt under a specific carve-out in both proclamations, but their fans are not.
| Country | Restriction Level | Impact on Fans |
|---|---|---|
| Haiti | Full ban | All visa categories suspended; fans cannot attend US matches |
| Iran | Full ban | All visa categories suspended; fans cannot attend US matches |
| Cote d’Ivoire | Partial ban | B-1/B-2 tourist visas suspended; most fans blocked |
| Senegal | Partial ban | B-1/B-2 tourist visas suspended; most fans blocked |
Additional qualified nations including Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, and Nigeria face complications such as visa bond requirements or extended processing delays, even where outright bans do not apply. Fans who hold a valid US visa issued before the ban dates may still travel, provided the visa has not been revoked.
How the Ban Impacts Fans vs Players
Both proclamations include a specific exemption for athletes, coaches, support staff, and their immediate family members participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. National teams from all banned countries can compete in the tournament without immigration barriers.
The exemption does not extend to:
- Fans and spectators
- Journalists and media personnel
- Corporate sponsors
- Extended family of players
What This Means in Practice
Fans from banned countries who do not hold dual citizenship or a pre-existing valid US visa cannot attend any of the 78 matches hosted across US cities including Houston, Dallas, and San Francisco. Diaspora communities already residing legally in the US remain unaffected.
For fans from non-banned countries who still need a US visa, the standard B-1/B-2 visa application process applies. Wait times vary by consulate, with some locations booked out months in advance.
Can Fans Attend Matches in Canada or Mexico Instead?
The US travel ban applies only to US-hosted matches. Canada and Mexico, which together host 26 of the tournament’s 104 matches, have no equivalent restrictions targeting the same countries.
Canada
Canada requires either an electronic travel authorization (eTA) or a visitor visa depending on your nationality. There is no special World Cup visa, but Canada’s immigration authority recommends flagging your World Cup attendance in your application.
Matches are held in Toronto and Vancouver. GCC travelers can check our Canada eTA vs visitor visa guide for specific requirements.
Mexico
Mexico has the most flexible entry rules of the three hosts. Many nationalities enter visa-free, and holders of valid US, Canadian, UK, Japanese, or Schengen-area visas can enter without a separate Mexican visa.
Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey host World Cup matches. For fans from restricted countries, these may be the most accessible venues — search for flights to Mexico City or browse hotels in Mexico City on Wego.
For a full breakdown of all three countries’ entry requirements, see our World Cup 2026 visa guide.
FIFA PASS, Bond Waivers, and What You Can Do
FIFA PASS
The US State Department launched the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (PASS) to give ticket holders faster access to US visa interview slots. The enrollment deadline was 15 April 2026.
Critically, FIFA PASS does not override travel bans. It only helps fans from non-banned countries secure B-1/B-2 appointments sooner.
Visa Bond Waivers
Fans from five World Cup-qualified nations — Algeria, Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Tunisia — were previously subject to refundable visa bonds of up to USD 15,000. The US government waived this requirement for ticket holders who enrolled in FIFA PASS by the deadline.
The waiver removes the financial deposit only. Standard visa application, interview, and approval still apply.
Options for Fans From Banned Countries
If you hold a passport from one of the 39 restricted countries, your realistic options include:
- Attend matches in Canada or Mexico, where no equivalent bans apply
- Watch at a FIFA Fan Festival or official screening event outside the US
- Apply using a second passport, if you hold dual citizenship from a non-banned nation
- Confirm your existing US visa (if issued pre-ban) has not been revoked before booking travel
Before booking, review our World Cup 2026 trip planning guide and consider World Cup travel insurance to protect your spend. You can also search for flights to Toronto and hotels in Toronto or hotels in Vancouver as alternatives to US-based matches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a World Cup ticket guarantee entry to the US?
No. Holding a FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket does not guarantee visa issuance or admission to the United States. Fans must still meet all standard immigration requirements, and travel bans apply regardless of ticket status.
Can Iranian or Haitian fans attend any World Cup matches?
Not in the US, unless they hold dual citizenship or a valid pre-ban visa. However, they can attend matches hosted in Canada (Toronto, Vancouver) or Mexico (Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey) where these bans do not apply.
Is there a special World Cup visa like Qatar 2022’s Hayya Card?
No. Unlike Qatar 2022 or Russia 2018, the 2026 World Cup does not offer a special fan visa or entry card that waives standard visa requirements for any of the three host countries.
Sources
- Fragomen — US Visitor Visa Rules for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
- National Immigration Forum — Impact of Travel and Immigration Restrictions on the 2026 FIFA World Cup
- US Department of State — FIFA World Cup 26 Visas
- US Department of State — FIFA World Cup 26 Visas Pass FAQ
- Government of Canada — FIFA World Cup 26: What You Need to Enter Canada
- FIFA — World Cup 2026 Travel, Visas, and FIFA PASS
- American Immigration Council — 50 Days Until the World Cup: Travel Bans, ICE, and Iran
- Wego Travel Blog — US Travel Ban 2026: Full List of Countries
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
