Football fans travelling to the 2026 FIFA World Cup will no longer need to pay the controversial US visa bond.
The administration of Donald Trump has announced that foreign football fans from 50 countries will be exempt from the $15,000 visa deposit requirement if they hold valid World Cup match tickets.
The policy change applies to supporters travelling to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11.
According to the US State Department, the visa bond programme was introduced last year to reduce visa overstays and improve immigration screening. While players and coaches were already exempt, ordinary fans with confirmed tickets were only added to the waiver list this week.
Five affected countries — Algeria, Cabo Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia — have already qualified for the tournament.
However, travellers from Iran and Haiti remain restricted under existing US travel policies, although players and officials are exempt for World Cup duties.
The decision comes as FIFA and US authorities continue preparations for what is expected to be one of the largest sporting events in history.