Want to see the Blue Sharks at the 2026 World Cup? You may have to pay 15 thousand dollars in security to enter the USA
New US visa rules create a financial barrier for fans and could even affect the national team's entourage"
Cape Verde's historic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, brilliantly secured last October, is now being overshadowed by an unexpected diplomatic and financial hurdle. The US State Department has confirmed the expansion of a pilot program that requires the payment of a substantial bond to obtain B-2 tourist visas. Cape Verde, due to the irregular stay rates registered in recent years, is one of the nations targeted by the measure.
For the average fan planning to cross the Atlantic to support the Blue Sharks, the cost of the trip has just skyrocketed. In addition to airfare and accommodation, it may be necessary to deposit up to 15,000 dollars (around 1.5 million escudos) as a guarantee that you will leave American territory after the tournament. This requirement applies to citizens of 50 nations, but particularly affects African countries qualified for the tournament, such as Senegal, Algeria and Tunisia.
The "single sign-on" obstacle
One technical detail that is alarming travel agencies is the fact that these visas, issued under the guarantee scheme, are mostly "single entry" visas with a validity limited to three months. As the 2026 World Cup is being organized jointly by the USA, Canada and Mexico, fans wishing to follow the national team between cities in different countries could encounter insurmountable difficulties, since once they leave the USA for a match in Mexico, they won't be able to return without a new process or special permit.
The measure is seen by analysts as an attempt to tighten migration controls at a time when an unprecedented influx of visitors is expected. For Cape Verde's economy, the impact is direct, as it limits the ability of the masses to travel and support the national team on its biggest stage ever.
Summary of security deposit requirements for the 2026 World Cup
Who is the "Visa Escrow Program?"
The "Visa Bond Pilot Program" is an initiative reactivated and expanded by the US administration, under the direction of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to strengthen migration control. This program gives consular officers the authority to demand a cash deposit as a condition for issuing temporary visas.
The central aim is to create a financial disincentive to illegal immigration. Although the amount is refundable upon the visitor's return to their country of origin, the process requires the applicant to have immediate liquidity. The refund is processed electronically, but any violation of the visa's conditions - such as exceeding the length of stay by just one day - results in the total loss of the deposited amount to the coffers of the US Treasury.
Certainty over the entourage and athletes
One of the most controversial aspects of the directive is the lack of clear exceptions for official sports delegations. Unlike previous policies that facilitated the entry of athletes and technical teams, the current rules suggest that even members of the Cape Verdean Football Federation or players who do not hold a European passport may be subject to a security assessment.
FIFA has been in intense talks with the American authorities to try and relax these requirements for the duration of the tournament, which runs from June to July 2026. However, the State Department has reiterated that security and border control are the top priority, leaving the federation and the Cape Verdean government in a race against time to ensure that the team's logistics are not jeopardized.
FIFA has been in intense talks with the US authorities to try to relax these requirements for the duration of the tournament, which runs from June to July 2026.
Caboverde24.info
Source: US State Department
