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As the World Cup grows more global, many fans still struggle to get there
Supporters from about a quarter of qualifying nations faced travel bans, visa refusals and bond requirements as the North American hosts used standard entry systems.
- The 2026 World Cup faces access challenges as supporters from roughly a quarter of qualifying nations encounter travel bans or high visa refusal rates, with North American organizers relying on existing immigration systems rather than tournament-specific entry permits.
- Before the tournament began, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned that U.S. immigration policies could undermine World Cup access. The Trump administration last year required visitors from 50 countries to post visa bonds of up to $15,000.
- Unable to secure a visa despite submitting his application a month early, Iraqi laboratory technician Saadi watched his friends enter the Philadelphia stadium from nearly 6,000 miles away while he remained in Mosul.
- A State Department spokesperson said the agency deployed more than 600 additional consular staff and made millions of visa appointments available, yet Ghanaian journalist Prince Ayim Brown faced an unexplained denial despite attending embassy training.
- In Brockton, Massachusetts, home to one of the largest Cape Verdean communities outside the islands, supporters packed Luanda Restaurant for Cape Verde's match against Spain. Restaurant owner Amelia Gon said, "It's all Cape Verde" this year, marking a historic shift from decades of Portugal and Brazil allegiances.
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24 Articles
24 Articles
For years, Mustafa al-Saadi and three colleagues from the hospital traveled abroad together to follow Iraq's national football team.
By Leah Willingham, Farid Abdulwahed, Salar Salim and Mark Banchereau Associated Press For years, Mustafa al-Saadi and three fellow hospital staff members traveled abroad to follow Iraq's national football team.When Iraq qualified for its first World Cup since 1986, the first in the life of the 32-year-old lab technician at Mosul General Hospital's oncology department planned another trip. Just three of the friends boarded the plane. Al Saadi's …
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources24
Leaning Left9Leaning Right0Center12Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Center
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources are Center
57% Center
L 43%
C 57%
Factuality
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