If you dont want Africans, say so: fans from five qualified countries in the World Cup will have to pay up to $15,000 in bail to enter the United States.

Starting from April 2, the United States is implementing a “visa bond pilot program.” Essentially, certain travelers will be required to deposit an amount between 5,000 and 15,000 dollars to obtain their visa. This bond will be refunded to them on the condition of leaving the country on the scheduled date.

The measure now affects fifty countries, including five nations qualified for the 2026 World Cup: Algeria, Tunisia, Senegal, Cape Verde, and Ivory Coast. For adults, the bond could range from 10,000 to 15,000 dollars, compared to about 5,000 dollars for minors.

Officially, U.S. authorities justify this initiative as a means to combat illegal immigration and ensure that visitors adhere to the duration of their stay.

Supporters on the front lines, delegations in uncertainty

While this measure primarily targets visitors, it could also impact sports delegations. In practice, players, coaches, and staff members could be subject to this bond on an individual basis.

Amid growing concerns, FIFA is reportedly working behind the scenes to negotiate exemptions. One possible solution being considered is issuing official invitation letters for delegations to avoid this financial constraint. However, supporters are unlikely to benefit from such waivers.

This situation could complicate the tournament’s organization for some teams. Several group stage matches involving Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia are set to be played in the U.S., while Algeria and Cape Verde are expected to play all their matches there.

Indignant supporters: “It’s a global competition, you have to be ready to welcome everyone.”

The announcement of this measure has stirred social media platforms. Many users on TikTok criticize what they perceive as discriminatory decisions. Some even call for a boycott of the sports tournament.

A French content creator with 12,000 followers expressed his views in a post, questioning the intentions behind the policy. Another content creator with over 300,000 followers emphasized the importance of inclusivity in a global sporting event.

A broader tightening of immigration policy

Additionally, the U.S. has announced a freeze on permanent immigration visas for nationals from 75 countries. Among them are several nations qualified for the competition, such as Iran, Iraq, Brazil, Bosnia, Uzbekistan, and Egypt.

While authorities assure that supporters from these countries are not affected by this restriction, they specify that entry requests will undergo thorough scrutiny, including the analysis of candidates’ social media before granting permission to enter the U.S.