African fans face World Cup hurdles despite visa bond U-turn
The Trump administration has waived a $15,000 visa bond for fans from five countries who hold World Cup tickets. BBC reports that African supporters still face significant travel and visa challenges despite the move.
The Trump administration said it has waived a planned $15,000 visa bond for World Cup ticket-holding fans from five countries. The policy was eased after broad criticism, according to the BBC.
Obstacles facing African supporters have not vanished, however. Long visa appointment waits, limited direct flights to the US from some countries and high travel costs are leaving many fans uncertain about whether they will be able to attend.
The Confederation of African Football and several supporter groups have urged FIFA to work more closely with host countries to speed up the visa process. The tournament will be held in 2026 across the US, Mexico and Canada, with nine African nations expected to compete, and how fans actually reach the games remains a live issue.
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