America eases visa restrictions for fans.

The United States announced on Wednesday that it is easing the financial deposit restrictions imposed on some visa applicants wishing to attend the 2026 World Cup matches, in a move aimed at facilitating the entry of fans ahead of the tournament's kickoff next summer.

The administration of President Donald Trump had imposed, as part of a stricter immigration policy, financial deposits ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 on citizens of 50 developing countries in exchange for obtaining a visa, which would be refunded after leaving U.S. territory.

The U.S. State Department stated that the new exemptions will include members of the participating teams, in addition to fans coming from qualifying countries who possess official tickets and are registered in a special priority system for World Cup visas.

Mora Namdar, Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, confirmed that Washington "remains committed to protecting national security while facilitating legitimate travel related to the tournament," adding that the U.S. administration aims to organize "the largest and best version of the World Cup in FIFA history."

For its part, FIFA considered that the decision reflects the level of cooperation with the U.S. government and the White House task force dedicated to the World Cup, with the goal of organizing a "record-breaking" tournament.

The list of qualifying countries whose citizens are subject to the deposit system includes Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia, while other qualifying countries, including Haiti and Iran, face stricter entry restrictions.

The Trump administration also expanded screening procedures for travelers, including requiring some visitors from allied countries to provide access to their social media accounts.

According to a study by the Mendoza law firm, the required deposit amount is equivalent in some countries to about three years of average income, threatening to deprive thousands of fans from attending the tournament.

The World Cup is scheduled to kick off on June 11, 2026, with a joint organization between the United States, Canada, and Mexico.