WASHINGTON: The United States will temporarily waive visa bond requirements for eligible football fans attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to a State Department official.
The waiver applies to ticket-holders from 50 countries who registered through the FIFA PASS system by April 15, 2026. The visa bond policy previously required certain travellers to pay deposits ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 when applying for US tourist visas.
Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar said the waiver would apply to qualified fans who purchased World Cup tickets and enrolled in FIFA PASS before the deadline.
The exemption will also cover eligible players, coaches and team staff from countries affected by the visa bond programme.
Five qualified World Cup nations affected
Countries previously subject to the visa bond rules include Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia, all of which have qualified for the FIFA World Cup.
US officials said the measure is intended to support legitimate travel during the tournament while maintaining national security procedures.
However, separate immigration restrictions remain in place for some countries, including Haiti and Iran, under broader US immigration policies.
Tournament begins in June
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament is scheduled to begin on June 11 in Mexico, while the first match in the United States will take place on June 12 in California.
The final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium.
The FIFA PASS system was introduced earlier this year to speed up visa processing for ticket-holders travelling to the tournament.
Human rights organisations have also raised concerns about immigration enforcement during the event, calling for protections for international visitors attending matches and fan events.
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