Washington, DC – On May 13, the United States announced it would waive the costly visa bond that the Trump administration had imposed on those with tickets to the 2026 World Cup. The move followed concerns that some international visitors to the upcoming tournament would face bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, adding to already high costs of attending the soccer event.
Under a policy launched last August, citizens of 50 countries were required to pay a bond to obtain temporary U.S. visas, with the amount refunded after they departed the country. However, in a statement to Al Jazeera, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar said the administration is “waiving the visa bond requirement for eligible fans who have purchased World Cup tickets and registered for FIFA PASS starting April 15, 2026.”
Namdar also referenced a previously announced program to speed up visa processing for the World Cup and noted that the administration had already waived the bond requirement for “eligible team members, including players, coaches, and support staff who meet all U.S. entry requirements.” She stressed: “We are committed to advancing U.S. national security priorities while facilitating legitimate travel within the framework of the upcoming World Cup tournament.”
The U.S. State Department added that visitors with tickets will still need to undergo standard visa screening. At least five World Cup-participating nations—Algeria, Cabo Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia—fall under the visa bond policy. The State Department expects up to 10 million people to travel to the United States for the event, which kicks off on June 11 in cities across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Critics argue that the Trump administration’s tough policies on both legal immigration and deportations contradict FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s pledge that the 2026 World Cup will be the “most inclusive” in history. In addition to visa bonds, at least 39 countries are under broad travel bans, including participating nations Iran and Haiti. Two other participants, Ivory Coast and Senegal, face partial travel bans.
Human rights groups have also raised concerns about the role of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at U.S. World Cup matches. The Department of Homeland Security has said it could provide security “alongside local and federal partners.” In April, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Amnesty International led a coalition of groups issuing a “travel advisory” for the United States during the World Cup, citing “the worsening human rights situation in the U.S.” and “the absence of meaningful action and concrete reassurances from FIFA, host cities, or the U.S. government.” The advisory flagged several concerns, including “extensive restrictions and limits on travel and entry into the United States” and “violent and unconstitutional immigration enforcement, including racial and other forms of discrimination by law enforcement.” A White House spokesperson at the time dismissed these advisories as “absurd scare tactics pushed by activist groups and left-wing media.”
