Trump administration suspends visa bonds of up to $15,000 for some World Cup 2026 fans traveling to the United States

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has suspended the controversial visa bond requirement of up to $15,000 for certain foreign supporters traveling to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in what is seen as a partial easing of immigration restrictions ahead of the tournament.

The measure had originally targeted travelers from dozens of countries considered by Washington to present a high risk of visa overstays or security concerns. Under the program, some visitors applying for U.S. tourist visas were required to pay a bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000.

Among the countries affected were five nations qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Tunisia. U.S. authorities have now decided to exempt holders of official FIFA match tickets from these countries from the financial requirement.

According to the U.S. State Department, the exemption also applies to certain members of sports delegations and support staff. Eligible supporters must, however, have been registered through the special “FIFA PASS” system established to facilitate visa procedures before the April 15 registration deadline.

The decision comes after growing criticism from human rights organizations and sports observers, who argued that the visa bond policy risked damaging the inclusive image of the World Cup and discouraging international supporters from attending the tournament.

Despite the policy adjustment, concerns remain regarding U.S. immigration enforcement ahead of the competition. Human Rights Watch and other organizations have called for limits on immigration control operations during the tournament to reassure international visitors.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is scheduled to begin on June 11 and is expected to become one of the largest sporting events in football history.