Ivory Coast fans banned from entering US for World Cup

Home-based supporters of Ivory Coast have been denied entry to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following visa restrictions imposed by the Trump administration, according to the country’s official supporters’ group.

The development adds to growing controversy surrounding U.S. immigration policies ahead of the tournament, which kicks off on Thursday.

The United States recently added Ivory Coast, Senegal, Iran and Haiti to its restricted travel list, effectively preventing citizens of those countries from obtaining the visitor visas required to attend matches.

While exemptions allow players, team officials, administrative staff and their immediate relatives to enter the country, regular supporters and recognised fan groups are excluded.

Only supporters who secured U.S. visitor visas before December are permitted to travel.

Julien Kouadio Adonis, president of the National Committee of Elephants Supporters (CNSE), said the restrictions forced supporters to abandon plans to follow the national team at the tournament.

He said: “The supporters have cancelled the trip because the US government does not want to see supporters from certain countries, including Ivory Coast, on its soil.

“The United States has been clear with us, saying they do not want to see our supporters.”

Kouadio said the decision had been painful for supporters who traditionally travel abroad to back the national team.

He said: “This situation hurts us deeply because it prevents us from fulfilling our sacred duty, which is to support our team.”

The CNSE, which operates under Ivory Coast’s Ministry of Sport, organises travel for the country’s supporters during international competitions.

In March, Kouadio expressed hope that about 500 supporters would travel to North America for the World Cup. Those plans have now been abandoned because of the visa restrictions.

A small number of CNSE officials have, however, been granted permission to attend the tournament.

Kouadio said the officials would be present to “look after the Ivorian supporters based in the United States”.

According to the supporters’ body, more than 1,000 Ivory Coast supporters already living in the United States are expected to attend matches.

Ivory Coast will play two of their three group-stage matches in Philadelphia, facing Ecuador on June 15 and Curacao on June 25, with a fixture against Germany in Toronto scheduled between the two games.

The visa controversy has overshadowed preparations for the World Cup.

Somali referee Omar Artan was recently refused entry into the United States, while some members of Iran’s support staff have also reportedly been denied access.