Fans of several countries participating in the FIFA World Cup this summer may not be able to watch their teams in action – even if they can afford to do so financially – as co-host the United States has paused visa applications for 75 nations with effect from January 21.
The embargo will be in place indefinitely until the State Department conducts a reassessment of immigrant visa processing, Fox News reported, adding that the ostensible reason for the decision was to crack down on applicants likely to become a ‘public charge’ (a non-citizen deemed likely to become primarily dependent on the government for subsistence).
The countries affected by this decision include Somalia, Afghanistan, Russia, Thailand, Yemen, Iraq, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nigeria – and among 2026 FIFA World Cup participants – Iran, Egypt, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Uzbekistan, Uruguay and (gasp) Brazil!
One wonders what sort of World Cup one can expect when the vibrant Samba supporters from the five-time World Champions are not allowed to the party. Brazil are scheduled to play their group games in New Jersey, Philadelphia and Miami. Players, coaches and other team and federation officials are said to have guaranteed visas for the World Cup, but one can never be sure in the present climate.
“The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott said in a statement.
“Immigration from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassess immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits.”
Exceptions in this regard will be “very limited” and only allowed after an applicant has cleared public charge considerations, the report said.
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Other World Cup participants who will be impacted by the latest directive are Cape Verde, Colombia, Ghana, Haiti, Jordan, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia.
In addition, Jamaica, Democratic Republic of Congo, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and North Macedonia are still part of the qualification playoffs, harbouring genuine hopes of making it to the summer extravaganza. However, they too feature in the list of banned countries.
Supporters from around the world add colour and atmosphere at the World Cup. But if the world is taken out of the World Cup, it may be reduced to a stale tournament and not a celebration of the Beautiful Game.
As it is, the other two co-hosts for the tournament – Mexico and Canada – don’t see eye to eye with the United States on many issues and the Donald Trump-led administration had once even threatened some American host cities – most of whom are administered by Democrats – of taking away World Cup games if they don’t align with the Trump administration’s policies.
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That may be a bit far-fetched now, with the match schedule announced, but with armed immigration officers moving around in several US cities and visa restrictions and outright bans imposed on visitors from several countries, this World Cup edition may be one where many would think twice before making their presence felt.
