President Donald Trump has signed a statement on Tuesday extending his administration’s travel restrictions to two new countries: Côte d’Ivoire and Se
President Donald Trump has signed a statement on Tuesday extending his administration’s travel restrictions to two new countries: Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, both set to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by the U.S.A, Canada and Mexico in 2026.
The White House confirmed the two African nations were added under “partial restrictions and entry limitations,” the least severe category among the 39 countries now covered by the ban.
Haiti and Iran, also World Cup participants, remain subject to the most stringent restrictions.
Officials cited visa overstay rates as the reason for targeting Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, B1/B2 visitor visa overstay rates stand at roughly 4% for Senegal and 8% for Côte d’Ivoire—figures relevant to fans hoping to travel to the United States for the tournament.
Registration for World Cup tickets opened on September 10, 2025, with FIFA’s online countdown clock marking the build-up to the opening match at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium on June 11, 2026.
FIFA recently announced a limited batch of $60 tickets following fan backlash over dynamic pricing.
While the new restrictions may complicate travel for supporters, the proclamation explicitly exempts athletes, diplomats, and individuals deemed to serve U.S. national interests.
The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Côte d’Ivoire will compete in Group E against Germany, Curaçao, and Ecuador, while Senegal will feature in Group I alongside France, Norway, and a European playoff winner.
Senegal is also scheduled to face the U.S. men’s national team in a warm-up friendly on May 31 in Charlotte, North Carolina, just days before the U.S. opens its campaign against Paraguay.
In December, the administration’s World Cup task force, led by Andrew Giuliani, introduced a fast-track visa system designed to prioritise ticket-holders for interview appointments. However, it remains unclear how this system will apply to fans from countries affected by the travel ban.
The upcoming tournament has already been dogged by controversy—both over U.S. immigration policy and FIFA’s management. Ticket pricing, in particular, has drawn sharp criticism from fans worldwide.
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