U.S. Denies Visas to Ivory Coast Supporters for World Cup

The U.S. government has denied visas to supporters of the Ivory Coast national football team, as confirmed by Julien Kouadio Adoni, the president of the Ivory Coast National Committee. This decision has forced fans to abandon their travel plans for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is set to begin on Thursday.

The visa denials have overshadowed the tournament's buildup, raising concerns about U.S. visa policies impacting international participation. Earlier in the week, Somali referee Omar Artan also reported being denied entry, highlighting broader issues with visa approvals.

Kouadio stated that the U.S. government does not want to see support from certain countries, including Ivory Coast, on its soil. Despite the visa restrictions, Kouadio hopes that 500 supporters will still travel to the tournament, although only a small number of officials have received authorization to attend.

The Ivory Coast team is scheduled to play three group stage matches, including games in Philadelphia against Ecuador on June 15 and Curacao on June 25, followed by a match in Toronto against Germany in March.