Donald Trump (foto: Official TW/IG/FB account)
Donald Trump has expanded US travel bans to include Senegal and the Ivory Coast, potentially blocking fans from attending World Cup 2026 matches in America.
Donald Trump has signed a new proclamation that could prevent fans from Senegal and Ivory Coast from travelling to the United States for the 2026 World Cup, expanding a controversial travel ban that now affects supporters of four qualified nations.
The new measures, introduced on Tuesday, suspend entry into the US for nationals of both countries for short-term visits, including tourism — effectively blocking fans hoping to attend World Cup matches on American soil.
Senegal have been drawn in Group I alongside France, Norway and the winner of a play-off between Bolivia, Iraq or Suriname.
Their matches against France and Norway are scheduled to take place at MetLife Stadium in the US, while the third group game will be played in Toronto, Canada, where Senegalese fans will be free to attend.
Ivory Coast face a similar scenario in Group E, alongside Germany, Ecuador and Curaçao — the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup.
The Ivorians’ matches against Ecuador and Curaçao are set to be played in the US, while their clash with Germany will take place in Canada, outside the scope of the ban.
Previous executive orders signed by Trump include exemptions for players, coaching staff and immediate family members, ensuring the teams themselves will be able to participate.
That means high-profile players such as Iliman Ndiaye and Nicolas Jackson for Senegal, and Amad Diallo and Evann Guessand for Ivory Coast, will not face any restrictions.
For tens of thousands of supporters, however, the ban represents a major barrier to following their teams at football’s biggest tournament.
Senegal and Ivory Coast were among 15 nations added to the latest proclamation, building on a list of 12 countries that faced travel bans announced in June.
That earlier list included Iran and Haiti, both of whom have already qualified for the World Cup, placing their fans at similar risk of exclusion.
The White House defended the decision by stressing the existence of limited exemptions.
“The Proclamation includes exceptions for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, certain visa categories like athletes and diplomats, and individuals whose entry serves U.S. national interests,” a statement read.
Travel restrictions are not the only concern for supporters hoping to attend World Cup 2026 matches in the United States.
High ticket prices for US-hosted games have already sparked widespread criticism, prompting FIFA to introduce a new £45 ‘supporter entry tier’ allocated through national associations.
That move has been labelled “a joke” by fan groups, with less than two percent of total seating made available at the reduced price.
With visa restrictions, soaring costs and limited ticket access, concerns are growing that World Cup 2026 could become one of the least accessible tournaments for travelling supporters in modern football history.