Players not affected but the measures may complicate travel plans for both country’s supporters
United States President Donald Trump has expanded the country’s travel bans to include Senegal and Ivory Coast despite both African nations gearing up to compete at the 2026 World Cup.
Both countries are subject to what the White House described as “partial restrictions and entry limitations”, the least severe category in US travel restrictions. Haiti and Iran, who will also participate in the World Cup, remain in the most severe category with restrictions.
The US said the decision to include Senegal and Ivory Coast was based on visa overstay rates. According to figures from the Department of Homeland Security, around four per cent of Senegalese visitors and roughly eight per cent of Ivorian visitors overstayed B1 or B2 visas, which are typically used by tourists and fans attending sporting events.
Players will not be affected because athletes were granted exemptions in the executive order, but the measures may complicate travel plans for both country’s supporters.
The Trump administration has already been criticised for several policies regarded as unfair, non-inclusive and discriminatory. Trump faced media backlash in October when he threatened to move World Cup games from cities he considered to be “unsafe”.
In response, Fifa vice-president Victor Montagliani said: “It’s Fifa’s tournament, Fifa’s jurisdiction; Fifa makes those decisions. With all due respect to current world leaders, football is bigger than them and football will survive their regime and their government and their slogans.
“That’s the beauty of our game, is that it is bigger than any individual and bigger than any country.”
The 2026 World Cup will be staged across the United States, Mexico and Canada, with the opening match scheduled for 11 June. Ivory Coast have been drawn in Group E alongside Germany, Curacao and Ecuador. Senegal will compete in Group I with France, Norway and a European playoff qualifier yet to be decided.
Senegal are also due to face the United States in a pre-tournament friendly on 31 May in Charlotte, North Carolina.
