Senegal and Ivory Coast are the latest countries on USA’s travel ban list ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
World Cup countries Senegal and Ivory Coast among additions to Trump travel ban.
President Trump signed a proclamation on Tuesday that expanded his administration’s current travel restrictions to include Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, two countries that will compete in the 2026 World Cup.
According to a White House statement, the two African countries were placed on the travel ban list with “partial restrictions and entry limitations.” This is currently the least restrictive category within the entire group of countries affected, which now stands at 39 following Tuesday’s decision. Two nations that will compete in the World Cup are already covered by the broad travel ban: Iran and Haiti, both of which are subject to the strictest limitations.
The White House cited visa overstay rates as justification for the prohibitions in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the overstay rates for B1 or B2 visitor visas, which are required for travelling fans to enter the nation for the World Cup, are roughly 4% for Senegal and 8% for Côte d’Ivoire.
The declaration explicitly mentioned athletes as one group of persons who will be excluded from the ban, along with diplomats and “individuals whose entry serves US national interests,” even though some fans may encounter difficulties when attempting to enter the US.
The United States, Mexico, and Canada will co-host the 2026 World Cup, which will begin on June 11. Côte d’Ivoire was placed in Group E, where they will face Ecuador, Germany, and Curaçao. Senegal, France, Norway, and an unidentified European playoff team have been placed in Group I of the competition. In tune-up friendlies prior to the World Cup, Senegal will also be one of the United States men’s national team’s last opponents. The second-to-last game before the United States’ World Cup opening match against Paraguay is scheduled for May 31 in Charlotte, North Carolina.