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Supporters from 50 nations must pay bond deposits of up to $15,000 to secure a tourist visa for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, and players from five of those nations could face the same requirement.
Following policy shifts under President Donald Trump, individuals from countries included in the "Visa Bond Pilot Program" traveling to the U.S. on a business or tourist visa are now required to post bonds in order to obtain a B-1 or B-2 visa.
Five nations—Algeria, Cape Verde, Senegal, Ivory Coast and Tunisia—enrolled in the program have qualified for this summer's World Cup, leaving fans and potentially players facing the obligation of depositing either $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 to gain entry into the U.S.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson told The Athletic that "all applicants" are held to the same legal standards and must "comply with the terms of a visa." When asked whether athletes competing in the World Cup would be exempt from the requirement, the spokesperson stated that applications would be "adjudicated on a case-by-case basis."
The State Department declined to rule out the possibility of players from the five qualifying nations being required to pay the bonds.
FIFA 'Working' With President Trump to Find a Solution
With the World Cup set to begin in under three months, anxiety among the affected nations is growing over the potential payments, despite assurances that the funds would be returned as long as applicants adhere to their visa's permitted length of stay.
According to The Athletic, the bond payments were brought up with FIFA during pre-World Cup preparation workshops held this month. The governing body is reportedly "attempting to convince" President Trump and his administration to waive the fees for at least the players, coaches and support staff of competing nations.
FIFA is "working on contingencies" to bypass the bond requirements, but even if successful, the waivers would likely not extend to players' immediate family members, who would still potentially need to pay up to $15,000 to enter the United States and attend the tournament.
Such exemptions would also likely not apply to general supporters, leaving traveling fans with just two choices: pay the bond or remain at home.
How the Bond Payment Structure Works for the 2026 World Cup
The "Visa Bond Pilot Program" requires each visa applicant to submit an individual bond payment. The amount applies per person, not per traveling group. As a result, a family of four hoping to attend the World Cup to cheer on their nation would need to make four separate deposits, even if one of the members is a minor.
The Athletic reports that the $5,000 payments are designated for children, while adults are required to pay either $10,000 or $15,000.
The steep fees only add to the controversy already surrounding this summer's tournament. President Trump's immigration crackdown, conflict in the Middle East, his previous ambitions to annex Greenland and threats to impose tariffs on European nations have all prompted calls for boycotts.
Alongside the escalating political tensions, sky-high ticket prices have sparked outrage among fans worldwide. The least expensive ticket for the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium is priced at $4,185—seven times the cost of the cheapest ticket for the 2022 final held in Qatar.