Visa Crisis Casts Shadow Over 2026 World Cup in the United States

The 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States is being overshadowed by a growing visa crisis that has prevented players' family members, referees, and fans from attending the tournament. Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha tearfully revealed after a 0-0 draw against European champions Spain that his mother was unable to travel to the U.S. because visa processing delays prevented the family from completing the required bond payment.

Vozinha, who gained six million social media followers after his man-of-the-match performance, said: "I cried because I was raised by my grandparents, and unfortunately they are not here. They passed away a few years ago. I also cried because my mother could not come due to a visa issue. Because of the large amount we had to pay for the visa, we could not complete the process on time."

Cape Verde was added to a list of countries whose citizens must post a refundable travel bond of up to US$15,000 before entering the United States. Additionally, citizens of Haiti, Ivory Coast, Iran, and Senegal are banned from entering the country. Reports have emerged of ticket-holding supporters from multiple nations being denied visas.

One day before the tournament began, elite FIFA referee Omar Artan from Somalia was denied entry to the U.S. over background security checks. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said he was deemed ineligible after being linked to terrorism networks. In December 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump referred to Somalis as "trash" and suggested immigrants from Somalia should "go back to where they came from."

FIFA President Gianni Infantino—who awarded Trump the first FIFA Peace Award last year—had promised in August 2025 that "fans from all over the world will be welcomed" and that visa processes would run smoothly. The Iranian national team, despite a framework ceasefire between the U.S.-Israel alliance and Iran, faces unique restrictions: they moved their training camp from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, and are required to leave the U.S. after each match.

Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei described his team as "the most oppressed in the entire World Cup" after being denied permission to stay overnight in Los Angeles for recovery. Forward Mehdi Taremi said the constraints put Iran at a competitive disadvantage.