US waives visa bond requirement for eligible FIFA World Cup fans

WASHINGTON: The administration of US President Donald Trump will temporarily waive visa bond requirements for eligible football fans attending the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, a State Department official confirmed on Wednesday.

Under the policy introduced last year, citizens from 50 countries were required to pay deposits ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 to obtain US tourist visas, with the money refunded after departure. Washington said the measure aimed to prevent visa overstays.

Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar said the bond requirement would now be lifted for qualifying World Cup attendees.

“(The United States is) waiving visa bonds for qualified fans who bought World Cup tickets and opted in to FIFA PASS as of April 15, 2026,” Namdar told Al Jazeera.

The exemption will also apply to eligible players, coaches and team officials from countries covered under the bond policy.

Five affected nations have qualified for the tournament: Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia.

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However, broader immigration restrictions imposed by the Trump administration will remain in place for certain countries, including Iran and Haiti, whose citizens continue to face separate entry bans.

“We remain committed to strengthening US national security priorities while facilitating legitimate travel for the upcoming World Cup tournament,” Namdar said in a statement.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held across the United States, Canada and Mexico in June and July. The tournament opens on June 11 in Mexico, while the first US-hosted match is scheduled for June 12 in Inglewood. The final will take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium.

The US government launched the FIFA PASS system in January to accelerate visa processing for ticket-holders. Fans from affected countries were required to register through the programme by April 15 to qualify for the waiver.

The administration’s immigration policies have drawn scrutiny ahead of the tournament, including concerns regarding the possible presence of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers at venues.

Last month, Human Rights Watch urged FIFA to seek an “ICE Truce” during the tournament, including guarantees against immigration enforcement operations at stadiums and related sites.

The Department of Homeland Security said international visitors attending the matches “have nothing to worry about” if they possess legal immigration status.