As the countdown to the 2026 World Cup gathers pace, ten African nations have already secured their places on football’s biggest stage.
But for many supporters hoping to follow their teams to the tournament, the greatest obstacle may not be the opposition waiting on the pitch, it could be the US consulate.
New figures from the US Department of State for the 2025 fiscal year reveal some of the world’s highest visitor visa refusal rates among countries that will be represented at the expanded 48-team World Cup.
Senegal, one of Africa’s most consistent performers in recent years, recorded a visa refusal rate of 74%, the highest among the continent’s qualified nations.
Ghana followed at 64%, DR Congo 63%, Cape Verde at 54%, while Algeria stood at 51%.
Egypt (48%), Ivory Coast (37%), Morocco (27%), Tunisia (26%) and South Africa (12%) complete the list of African teams set to compete in North America this month.
The figures raise fresh questions about accessibility and inclusion ahead of a tournament that FIFA has repeatedly described as a global celebration of football.
The issue is particularly significant because the United States will host the overwhelming majority of matches. Of the tournament’s 104 games, 78 are scheduled to be played on American soil, including every match from the quarter-finals onwards.
For many African supporters, attending a World Cup has always required significant financial sacrifice. Flights, accommodation and match tickets can represent years of savings. Yet even those able to meet those costs face no guarantee of being granted entry.
The prospect of thousands of supporters being unable to travel has fuelled concerns that some teams could effectively be deprived of the vibrant backing that has become a hallmark of African participation at major tournaments.
From Senegal’s drumbeats and chants to Morocco’s passionate traveling support, African fans have consistently brought color and atmosphere to global competitions.
Their presence was especially notable at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals was accompanied by large numbers of supporters from across Africa and the Arab world.
The visa figures do not indicate how many World Cup ticket holders may ultimately be denied entry, and US authorities have not announced any special visa arrangements for supporters from participating nations.
However, with qualification campaigns complete and travel planning already underway, the statistics highlight a growing disconnect between football’s promise of global inclusion and the practical realities facing many supporters.
The 2026 World Cup will feature a record number of teams and players. Whether it can deliver a similarly representative crowd remains an open question.
For many African fans, the road to the World Cup may begin not at an airport or a stadium, but at a visa interview window.
