The Trump administration was considering implementing a bond system for tourist visas. Nationals from 50 countries would have to provide a financial guarantee to enter the United States.
Good news for fans planning to attend the 2026 World Cup. As the competition approaches, scheduled from June 11 to July 19 in 23 cities across the United States (17 sites), Canada (3), and Mexico (3), Washington announced on Wednesday that it would not require a bank guarantee for tourist visas during the World Cup. Since 2025, U.S. authorities have been asking nationals from around fifty countries deemed “at risk of overstaying” to deposit an amount ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 (€4,250 to €12,800), refundable upon their return. French citizens are not affected by this measure.
While the United States saw a 6% decrease in foreign visitors in 2025, this bond system was particularly dissuasive for many travelers. The FIFA responded to this announcement by stating, “This once again demonstrates our ongoing collaboration with the U.S. government and the White House task force for the World Cup,” expressing its “gratitude” towards U.S. authorities.
Context: Washington reversed its decision to require a bank guarantee for tourist visas during the 2026 World Cup. Fact Check: French citizens are exempt from the financial guarantee requirement.
Algeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia are among the countries affected by this bond system. However, the bond is no longer required for team members playing at matches in the US or for supporters with an official ticket enrolled in the “FIFA Fan ID” which grants them access to a streamlined visa process. By early May, only 14,000 ticket holders had chosen this option.
Among the qualified countries, Haiti and Iran are subject to near-total entry bans. Haiti could potentially play its group matches in Boston, Philadelphia, and Atlanta without any supporters. These measures could result in an average bond amount equivalent to three years of income for these countries.
Context: Certain countries are exempt from the financial guarantee requirement due to their participation in the World Cup. Fact Check: Haiti and Iran face nearly complete entry restrictions.
The World Cup is expected to attract over 1.2 million foreign tourists to the United States, according to Tourism Economics. The International Football Federation has faced complaints from the European Commission for allegedly abusing its monopoly position in setting prices. Rising costs, including ESTA fees and persistent inflation in the tourism sector, pose additional challenges.
Given the current situation, easing entry conditions for some supporters is seen as an attempt to overcome a major obstacle. The United States is facing an estimated loss of $12.5 billion in tourism revenue due to a decline in foreign visitors over the past nine months. Various factors contribute to this decline, including perceived aggression from Donald Trump, expanded entry restrictions, and debates around social media surveillance, which deter international clientele.
