The presidents of both supporters’ groups have been refused entry, leaving home-based fans unable to travel for the first time in Senegal’s four World Cup appearances
Ivory Coast and Senegal’s home-based supporters have been denied visas to enter the United States, preventing them from attending their national teams’ matches at the 2026 World Cup and delivering a devastating blow to fans who consider it their sacred duty to cheer their sides.
The president of Ivory Coast’s National Committee of Elephants Supporters and an official from Senegal’s sports ministry confirmed the rejections to AFP, describing the situation as deeply painful.
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“The supporters have cancelled the trip because the US government does not want to see supporters from certain countries, including Ivory Coast, on its soil. The United States has been clear with us, saying they do not want to see our supporters,” said Julien Kouadio Adonis, president of the CNSE. “This situation hurts us deeply because it prevents us from fulfilling our sacred duty, which is to support our team.”
Ivory Coast play two of their three group matches in Philadelphia, against Ecuador on June 14 and Curacao on June 25, either side of a trip to Toronto to face Germany. Adonis had hoped 500 fans would travel across the Atlantic. Instead, only a handful of CNSE officials have been authorised to travel, where they will “look after the Ivorian supporters based in the United States.” The CNSE estimates more than 1,000 Ivorian fans already in the US will attend matches.
For Senegal, the visa denials mark the first time home-based supporters will not be present at a World Cup in which the team is competing, after appearances in 2002, 2018 and 2022.
“It is the first time we will not be sending a delegation because of restrictions linked to the granting of visas by the United States,” Ndeye Dome Thiouf, communications advisor to Senegal’s sports ministry, told AFP. The ministry attempted to send presidents of various supporters’ organisations with all costs covered by the state, but their visa applications were rejected.
Pape Mass Gueye, president of the Lebougui supporters group and one of those affected, said: “Personally I am disappointed. I thought organising a World Cup should not present so many problems.”
According to a report by Accra Street Journal, the run-up to the World Cup has been dogged by US visa policies. Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry last weekend, and some support staff for the Iranian team have also been refused visas. To ensure Senegal has some support, the government will distribute 400 tickets per match to Senegalese citizens living in the United States.
Senegal open their Group I campaign against France on June 16 in New Jersey, followed by Norway on June 22 and Iraq on June 26 in Toronto. Ivory Coast begin their tournament against Ecuador on June 14.
Source: Accra Street Journal
Last Updated on June 11, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu
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