In a move that has sent shockwaves through the global football community, United States President Donald Trump has extended existing travel restrictions to include two African nations qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The announcement, made on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, places partial entry limitations on supporters from football giants Ivory Coast and Senegal.
Details of the New Travel Proclamation
The White House confirmed the updated policy, which adds Ivory Coast and Senegal to a list of countries facing visa and entry limitations. This new category is described as the least severe tier within a broader security policy that now encompasses 39 nations. According to a BBC report, the measure is aimed at protecting US security and is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.
This expansion follows earlier actions by the Trump administration. In June 2025, President Trump declared a full ban on travellers from 12 countries and imposed tighter controls on visitors from seven others. The initial list included nations such as Afghanistan, Chad, Haiti, Iran, Libya, and Somalia.
Data cited by The Guardian from the US Department of Homeland Security indicated specific overstay rates for visitor visas: Senegal recorded roughly a 4% overstay rate for B1/B2 visas, while Côte d’Ivoire stood at about 8%.
World Cup Implications and the FIFA Pass
The timing is particularly sensitive as the 2026 World Cup is co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Ivory Coast has been drawn into Group E alongside Germany, Curacao, and Ecuador. Senegal will compete in Group I with France, Norway, and a yet-to-be-confirmed European playoff qualifier.
In a related development, the Trump administration has also announced a "FIFA Pass" initiative designed to expedite visa interviews for foreigners travelling to the US for the tournament. This programme will allow ticket holders who purchased through FIFA to secure faster visa appointments, potentially offering a pathway for some affected fans.
Football Fans React with Anger and Disappointment
The news has sparked intense reactions on social media, with many fans condemning the decision as contrary to the unifying spirit of football.
Reactions compiled online include:
- "The 2026 World Cup will not be fun at all.... at least Nigerians are at rest even though the US continually ban Nigeria anyhow," wrote one user.
- Another commented, "You can’t host a World Cup and then treat supporters like security risks based on passports....That undermines the whole idea of a global game."
- A third user expressed relief that Nigeria did not qualify, stating, "Imagine if Nigeria had qualified. Donald would have restrain his words because we tire pass am when e comes to things like things."
The overarching sentiment from supporters is one of frustration. "Football is meant to unite people beyond borders and fans are part of the game too," one fan noted, adding, "Hopefully this is fully resolved before 2026." Another called the situation "unfortunate," arguing that "denying supporters the chance to follow their nations goes against the spirit of the game."
As the football world looks toward the 2026 spectacle, the intersection of geopolitics and sport has created a significant hurdle, leaving thousands of passionate fans uncertain about their ability to support their teams on the world's biggest stage.
