Football fans across Africa are reacting to a new policy that could make attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States significantly more expensive. Supporters from several African countries may be required to pay a refundable visa bond of up to $15,000 to secure a U.S. tourist visa for the tournament.

What Is the Visa Bond Policy?

The United States has introduced a Visa Bond Pilot Program aimed at reducing visa overstays and curbing illegal immigration. Under this initiative, travelers from certain countries could be asked to deposit a substantial financial bond as a condition for receiving a short-term visitor visa.

The bond is fully refundable but only if the visitor complies with visa rules, including leaving the country before their authorized stay expires.

This potential requirement specifically targets fans traveling from select African nations, including:

• Algeria
• Senegal
• Cape Verde
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Tunisia

Supporters from these countries hoping to attend matches hosted in the United States during the 2026 World Cup could be impacted.