2026 World Cup: Senegal fans fear United States visa barrier

Article excerpt

Senegal's football fans face an unexpected obstacle to attending the 2026 World Cup in the United States: they can't get visas. After the Trump administration added Senegal to an immigration blacklist in late 2025, Senegalese nationals have been systematically denied entry except in rare cases. The barrier hits hard, even six members of the Senegalese Football Federation's executive committee were turned away. The concern ripples across Africa, where many fans already worry about visa access to the tournament.