The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest in the tournament’s history, marking the first edition to feature 48 teams at the final event.
However, concerns have grown that travel for those 48 nations and their fans to the United States could be complicated by the immigration policies of sitting U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration.
Throughout his campaign and the first half of his presidency, Trump repeatedly pushed for more restrictive immigration measures, raising fears that travel to the United States could be difficult or impossible for those participating in or attending World Cup matches.
AllSportsPeople explains whether the latest visa restrictions could impact attendance at the World Cup for players, staff, and fans.
MORE: A full overview of the 2026 FIFA World Cup bracket, schedule, and start times
What is the USA visa freeze for 75 countries?
The U.S. State Department announced on January 14 that it was indefinitely suspending immigrant visa processing from a large swath of countries.
The pause will go into effect on January 21, and will affect 75 total nations including Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Russia, and others.
The suspension applies to immigrant visas, such as those for employment or to join family members in the United States.
Will the USA visa freeze affect the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
It is not believed that the recent visa freeze will have a major impact on travel to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup this coming summer.
The impacted announcement affects only for immigrant visas, which is a long-term process meant to allow individuals to come to the United States permanently with an eye towards becoming a Lawful Permanent Resident (also known as a Green Card holder).
Because the World Cup is a four-week event, and does not require a long-term stay in the United States, it is not believed that this policy will directly impact the event.
However, it does indicate a continuation of U.S. President Donald Trump's continued crackdown on immigration, and could indicate that further restrictions may be on the horizon.
When is the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place on Thursday, June 11, as Mexico takes on South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
The game will kick off at 3 p.m. ET, 2 p.m. Local.
The tournament will last for a month, with the World Cup Final set for Saturday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium, located just outside New York City.
List of 75 countries in U.S. Visa pause
The following countries are included in the recent U.S. Immigrant visa pause.
Confirmed World Cup participants are listed in bold, while those still involved in qualifying are listed in italics.
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belize
- Bhutan
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Brazil
- Burma
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Colombia
- Ivory Coast
- Cuba
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Dominica
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Liberia
- Libya
- Macedonia
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Nepal
- Nicaragua
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Republic of the Congo
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan, Syria
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Yemen