The U.S. Travel Association has praised the U.S. decision to suspend visa bond requirements for some foreign fans expected to visit the United States during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In a statement released on May 13, 2026, Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, called the move a “smart, targeted” measure that will allow more international fans to attend the tournament in the United States. The competition will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across Canada, the United States and Mexico, with a significant share of matches hosted in U.S. cities.
The response follows confirmation from U.S. authorities that visa bonds will be waived for certain categories of travelers connected to the World Cup. The measure applies in particular to fans with confirmed tickets, subject to specific conditions, as well as athletes and team members participating in the tournament.
A move welcomed by the U.S. travel industry
For the U.S. Travel Association, which represents the American travel industry, the World Cup is a major opportunity to promote the United States as an international destination.
In its statement, Geoff Freeman, the association’s president and CEO, welcomed the administration’s decision to waive visa bond requirements for confirmed ticket holders. He described it as “a smart, targeted move” intended to make it easier for more international fans to experience the tournament in the United States.
“The World Cup is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to showcase America at its best and strengthen our position as the world’s most sought-after travel destination,” Freeman added.
The U.S. Travel Association chief also stressed the expected impact on the country’s image beyond the tournament itself. “Every fan who visits leaves as an ambassador for future travel to the U.S.,” he said.
The association also framed the decision as part of a series of steps taken by the U.S. administration ahead of the tournament. According to Freeman, “from establishing the White House Task Force to accelerating visa processing and now suspending visa bond requirements for ticket holders, the administration is taking meaningful action to ensure the U.S. delivers a successful and memorable World Cup experience.”
What the U.S. Department of State now says
The U.S. Department of State has also updated its page dedicated to countries subject to visa bond requirements. The page now states that the bond requirement will be waived for certain people traveling to the United States in connection with the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to the official guidance, the exemption first applies to athletes and team members, including coaches, essential support staff and immediate family members, when those individuals are nationals of countries participating in the World Cup and otherwise qualify for a U.S. visa.
The bond waiver now also applies to nationals of participating countries who purchased tickets for the FIFA World Cup before April 15, 2026, and registered through FIFA’s Priority Appointment Scheduling System, also known as FIFA PASS, via FIFA’s website. These travelers must also demonstrate that they are fully eligible for a U.S. visitor visa.
The State Department stresses, however, that the exemption does not mean a visa will be issued automatically. As with any U.S. visa application, the case remains subject to review by a consular officer.
No visa is issued until the consular officer has completed the required checks and determined that the applicant meets all conditions under U.S. law.
Qualified countries affected by the visa bond program
The U.S. visa bond policy applies to nationals of several countries covered by the program when they apply for a B1/B2 visa. The State Department says the bond may be set at $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000, depending on the decision made at the consular interview.
Among the countries qualified for the 2026 World Cup, several appear on the list of countries subject to visa bond requirements, including Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Tunisia. For affected fans, the announced exemption could therefore represent significant financial relief, provided they meet the criteria set by U.S. authorities.
