Ivory Coast to play World Cup without home fans after U.S. denies all supporter visas

Visa denial blocks home fans

Côte d’Ivoire will compete at the 2026 FIFA World Cup without fans from the country, for the first time in its tournament history. The United States denied visa applications from Ivorian supporters, leaving the team with no travelling contingent beyond a handful of officials. The National Committee of Supporters of the Elephants (CNSE), the official body that organises fan travel, had previously sent dozens of supporters to three World Cups and multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. This time, only a few CNSE officials were granted entry. The committee had hoped to send around 500 fans, according to statements made in March.

“It hurts us very much”

Julien Kouadio Adonis, the president of the CNSE, told AFP that the United States explicitly told them “they did not want to see our supporters”. He spoke of deep disappointment, saying the decision blocked the fans’ core purpose.

This situation hurts us very much because it prevents us from fulfilling our sovereign duty, which is to support our team. We could have showcased our culture, our know-how in the stands.

He added that even the small official delegation faced obstacles, noting that “for this delegation, it was not at all easy to get the visas. We had to discuss, negotiate to make ourselves heard.”

Reliance on diaspora

The absence of home supporters shifts the burden to the Ivorian diaspora in the United States. The CNSE estimates that over 1,000 fans already living in the country will attend the matches. The few officials who did receive visas will coordinate with these supporters, but the planned cultural displays and organised support from Côte d’Ivoire will be missing.

Broader immigration crackdown

The visa refusals are part of a wider pattern under President Donald Trump’s strict immigration policies. The same climate affected other World Cup participants: Somali referee Omar Artan was refused entry despite holding a valid visa. The policy is casting a shadow over the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Match schedule

Côte d’Ivoire are in Group E and will play two of their three group-stage matches in the United States.

The team faces Ecuador in Philadelphia on 15 June, Germany in Toronto on 20 June, and Curaçao again in Philadelphia on 25 June. With no organised travel from home, the Ivorian side will step onto the pitch with the backing of only local supporters.