Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The United States has refused entry visas to home‑based supporters of the Ivory Coast national football team, forcing them to cancel plans to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the president of the country’s official supporters’ committee told AFP on Thursday, June 11 2026.
Julien Kouadio Adonis, head of the National Committee of Elephants Supporters (CNSE) which operates under the Ivorian Ministry of Sport, said a large number of fans who applied for visitor visas were rejected despite hoping to cheer on the Elephants at their first World Cup since 2014. In March, the CNSE had expected about 500 supporters to travel across the Atlantic, but those plans have now been abandoned.
“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,” Kouadio told AFP. “The United States has been clear with us, saying they do not want to see our supporters.” He described the decision as a bitter blow for the country’s travelling fans. “This situation hurts us deeply because it prevents us from fulfilling our sacred duty, which is to support our team.”
Only a handful of CNSE officials have been authorised to go to the World Cup. They will be responsible for organising Ivorian fans already residing in the United States, who are estimated to number more than 1,000. “It took a lot of discussion and negotiation just to be heard,” Kouadio added.
The visa rejections add to a growing list of World‑cup‑related entry controversies involving the United States, which is co‑hosting the 48‑team tournament with Canada and Mexico. In recent days, Somali referee Omar Artan, who had been selected by FIFA, was turned away at Miami airport despite holding a valid visa. Some support staff for the Iranian team have also been denied entry. Earlier this year, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned football fans: “Your ticket is not a visa.”
Ivory Coast will play two of their three group matches in Philadelphia – against Ecuador on June 15 and Curaçao on June 25 – with a fixture against Germany in Toronto on June 20. For the Elephants, the excitement of returning to the world stage is now tempered by the absence of their passionate travelling supporters.
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