U.S. Visa Crackdown Threatens Fans’ Access to 2026 World Cup

(UNITED STATES) As of August 21, 2025, U.S. visa crackdowns and new entry rules are already shaping who will be able to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup in person on 🇺🇸 soil. The tournament will go ahead and teams will play as planned, but many international fans face higher costs, longer waits, and outright denials under a broad travel ban and tougher screening. Officials say security and overstay prevention drive the changes; tourism leaders warn these moves could thin crowds and dampen spending across host cities.

Policy shifts reshaping entry for the 2026 tournament

On June 5, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order that:

• Imposed a full travel ban on nationals from 12 countries:
  • Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Haiti, Eritrea, Chad, Burma, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea.
• Imposed partial bans on seven more:
  • Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela.

The order exempts players, coaches, and official delegations, so matches and team participation are not at risk. However, it bars spectators from the banned countries from obtaining U.S. tourist visas, effectively blocking them from attending games in the United States.

• The Secretary of State is authorized to review and recommend changes to the list every 180 days, starting September 2, 2025.
• A further 36 countries—mostly in Africa—are under review, which could expand restrictions to 54 countries and affect more than 1 billion people.
• FIFA has not changed match locations but is monitoring the situation.
• Human Rights Watch has warned about the risk of racial profiling and aggressive enforcement around the event in some host cities.

Fees and funding changes

• The “Big Beautiful Bill,” passed in July 2025, raised the ESTA fee to $40 for Visa Waiver Program travelers.
• It added a $250 “Visa Integrity Fee” to the B1/B2 tourist visa, on top of the existing $185 MRV fee—bringing most tourist visa applications to $435 per person.
  • Example: For a family of four from a non‑waiver country, visa fees alone total $1,740 before flights or tickets.
• The government cut funding for Brand USA, the national travel marketing agency, from $100 million to $20 million, reducing international outreach at a critical decision time for fans.

Impact on fans, teams, and host communities

Interview wait times for B1/B2 visas remain severe in several high‑demand posts:

• Many U.S. embassies and consulates report waits of 300+ days in countries such as India, Nigeria, and Colombia.
• There is no special priority lane for soccer fans.
• Officials recommend applicants plan to apply 6–12 months ahead and prepare for strict vetting.

Analysis by VisaVerge.com finds these delays—combined with higher costs—are already pushing some fans to choose matches in Canada 🇨🇦 or Mexico instead of U.S. venues.

• Fans from banned countries cannot attend matches in the United States at all, though they may still be able to watch games in Canada or Mexico.
• Travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries face fewer hurdles but must now pay the $40 ESTA fee and obtain approval before boarding.
• For many families from non‑waiver countries, the combined impact of fees, scheduling bottlenecks, and new screening rules is the primary barrier—even when no outright ban applies.

U.S. officials emphasize they want a festive event with firm rules. Vice President JD Vance said:

“We want them to come, we want them to celebrate, we want them to watch the game. But when the time is up, they’ll have to go home. Otherwise, they’ll have to talk to Secretary Noem.”

Tourism and small business groups warn this message, paired with the U.S. visa crackdowns, will reduce international attendance and spending—especially in smaller or rural host areas that rely on long‑haul visitors.

Human rights advocates caution that stepped‑up enforcement near stadiums will heighten fear among immigrant families in host metro areas, pointing to risks of:

• Racial profiling
• Arbitrary detention
• Spillover effects on day‑to‑day life beyond match days

FIFA has not announced any scheduling changes due to visa policy but continues to track developments closely.

Practical steps for spectators seeking U.S. entry

For most spectators from non‑waiver countries, the B1/B2 visitor visa is the route to attend games. There is no special World Cup visa. Plan early and follow these steps carefully.

Required documents for a B1/B2 application

• Valid passport (at least six months beyond travel dates)
• Completed DS-160 online form
• Digital passport‑style photo
• Proof of funds and trip plans (lodging, tickets if available)
• Evidence of strong ties to your home country (job, school, family)
• Records of previous U.S. travel, if any

Application steps

1. Complete the DS-160 online at the State Department portal: https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/.
2. Pay the fee—currently $435 for most non‑waiver applicants (includes the $250 integrity fee and $185 MRV fee).
3. Create an account and schedule an interview at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
4. Attend the in‑person interview with all documents.
5. Wait for processing; some cases are decided quickly, others take longer.

• First‑time applicants almost always need an interview.
• Some renewals may qualify for interview waivers depending on age, prior visas, and local embassy rules.
• There is no official fast‑track for World Cup fans, and moving an appointment earlier is often difficult at busy posts.
• If your country is under the travel ban, a tourist visa will not be issued for World Cup travel.

Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) guidance

• Travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries should apply for ESTA well in advance.
• An approval allows stays of up to 90 days per visit and now costs $40.
• Note: ESTA approval does not guarantee admission; final decisions are made by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the port of entry.

Official guidance and forms

For authoritative policy guidance and updates on visitor visas, use the State Department’s official page:
– State Department’s official page:
– https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html

Always use official government websites for forms; third‑party services cannot speed decisions.

What to watch going forward

• The Secretary of State can revise the ban list every 180 days, so the map of who can attend U.S. matches could change through 2026.
• There is no sign of broad, event‑wide processing relief for fans, and long queues at major embassies may persist.
• Fans making multi‑country trips might consider starting in Canada or Mexico, then continuing to U.S. games if their status allows.

Travel industry leaders argue that high fees, slow interviews, and reduced brand marketing will cost the United States both visitors and goodwill during a unique global moment. U.S. officials counter that stronger rules are needed to keep the event secure and to reduce overstays after the final whistle.

Key takeaways: apply early, budget more, and watch for policy reviews that could expand or narrow the travel ban as the 2026 FIFA World Cup draws closer.