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Is 2026 World Cup the worst in history? Cases of visa denials dent the tournament
13th June, 2026 08:46 AM
Senegal’s national team will compete at the 2026 FIFA World Cup without the presence of an organised supporters’ contingent from home after visa applications submitted by fans were rejected by United States authorities, according to information confirmed by Senegalese officials to AFP.
The setback mirrors a similar situation involving supporters from Côte d’Ivoire, whose fans were also unable to secure entry permits. As a result, neither nation will have an official group of supporters attending the tournament, which is being staged across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
Growing concerns over Entry restrictions
The latest visa refusals add to a series of immigration-related incidents that have affected African participants at the expanded World Cup.
Recently, Somali match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan, selected by FIFA as one of the tournament referees, was reportedly denied entry upon arrival in the United States and returned to Istanbul despite possessing a diplomatic passport.
Elsewhere, Ghana international Thomas Partey was unable to travel to Canada for the Black Stars’ opening fixture against Panama because of ongoing legal matters. However, he remains eligible to enter the United States and feature in matches held there.
The repeated cases involving players, referees, and supporters from African countries have sparked debate about fairness, consistency, and accessibility during a tournament spread across three host nations.
Missing support could affect Senegal
The absence of thousands of passionate Senegalese fans is expected to be felt by the Lions of Teranga, who traditionally enjoy strong backing whenever they compete on the global stage.
Senegal reached the knockout rounds of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and later lost their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations crown following a lengthy legal battle involving Morocco.
Their 2026 World Cup journey begins on June 16 with a Group I clash against France. They will then take on Norway on June 23 before wrapping up their group-stage matches against Iraq on June 26.
With their supporters unable to make the trip, Senegal must now focus on delivering results on the field while fans cheer them on from afar, adding another challenge to an already demanding World Cup campaign.
Compared to the 2018 and the 2022 editions held in Russia and Qatar respectively, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is perceived as tournament that has seen fans and officials alike denied access to host nations over strict visa rules.
