According to reports, supporters from several countries participating in the 2026 World Cup will have to deposit up to $15,000 before entering the United States. What’s more, players may also not be exempt from this.
Ahead of the summer tournament, a number of geopolitical issues are threatening to impact travelling fans. Most notably, it remains unclear if Iran will be able to compete amid their conflict with the US and Israel.
On that front, President Donald Trump has made it clear he ‘does not care’ if Iran has to withdraw from the World Cup. His administration may also make it complicated for a number of other nations to smoothly enjoy the summer tournament.
Algeria Among World Cup Nations Facing Huge Visa Payments
As per The Athletic, nationals from certain countries travelling to the US on a business or tourist visa — known as B-1 and B-2 visas — will now be subject to hefty bond payments after policy changes by Trump’s administration. The “Visa Bond Pilot Program”, which comes into effect from April 2, will impact 50 countries, five of which have qualified for the World Cup.
As such, fans from Algeria, Cape Verde, Senegal, the Ivory Coast, and Tunisia will now have to deposit up to $15,000 in bond payments to be granted a tourist visa to come into the country for the tournament. They have to be paid per person, meaning that a parent travelling with a child would have to make two separate bond payments. Sources familiar with the process indicate that the $5,000 payments will be broadly reserved for children entering the country, with payments of $10,000 or $15,000 for adults.
The report notes that a US State Department spokesperson told The Athletic that all applicants, regardless of age, are subject to the same legal standards and must demonstrate they qualify for and intend to comply with the terms of a visa.
It’s important to note that the money put up as a deposit will be returned, so long as the individuals in question depart the US in a timely fashion before their visa expires. Adding to that, the spokesperson explained that the visa bond requirement is not retroactive and does not apply to holders of existing valid visas.
The team have a Champions Cup match this week against LA Galaxy, but are set to be without some of their best players.
Visa Issues May Impact Players
While qualifying for the World Cup should be a joyous moment for all teams competing – Cape Verde, for example, have qualified for the tournament for the first time in their history – travel issues may cause a headache to both fans and even players.
Indeed, as per The Athletic, there is no wording outlined in the Visa Bond Pilot Program that grants immunity to athletes competing in major sports events such as the World Cup. Most athletes who do not already have US visas will likely apply for the B-1 or B-2 visas during the tournament. As such, they could be asked to deposit bonds the same as fans.
The State Department said that all visa applications will be adjudicated on a case-by-case basis by officers. Policy states that there is “no procedure” for applicants to apply for a waiver of the bond, but consular officers can determine whether a waiver “would advance a significant national interest or humanitarian interest based on the applicant’s purpose of travel and employment.”
As of yet, neither the State Department nor FIFA have ruled out the idea that players from Algeria, Cape Verde, Senegal, the Ivory Coast, and Tunisia might have to pay these $15,000 bonds. That said, anonymous sources have told The Athletic that the matter was raised with FIFA at pre-World Cup preparation workshops. It’s noted that FIFA is attempting to convince the Trump administration to waive the bonds for official members of a competing federation’s delegation, which would likely include players, coaches and support staff, as well as federation executives and possibly key personnel from sponsors.
With fewer than 80 days before the tournament begins, it remains to be seen if players and other official members will be exempt from the visa bonds. Fans, however, seem all but certain not to be granted this privilege.
Kylian Mbappe is lighting up the 2026 World Cup as he looks to fire France to their second success in world football’s biggest competition since 2018.
The Real Madrid forward is firmly in the Golden Boot race against the likes of Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Vinicius Junior, having found the net four times in the group stages. Mbappe was crucial to his nation lifting the trophy in 2018, bursting onto the scene as a teenager.
He then had an incredible tournament four years later in Qatar. Despite his side having to settle for second place, the 27-year-old fired in a hat-trick in the final, something only Sir Geoff Hurst has previously managed.
Kylian Mbappe Wearing Different Shirt to France Teammates
Kyle Ross (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
That treble in the final against Argentina helped Mbappe to the Golden Boot in the 2022 World Cup. The versatile forward netted eight times in total, and was undeserving of being on the losing side.
He tends to step up on the big stage when his country needs him. Some eagle-eyed fans may have spotted a difference in the shirt Mbappe is wearing this summer compared to the rest of Didier Deschamps’ men.
Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane are all expected to finish among the top goalscorers in this summer’s tournament.
The reason for that is his Golden Boot victory in 2022. Any active player who has won the individual award at the World Cup is allowed to wear a special patch on the sleeve of their shirt.
England’s Harry Kane and Colombia’s James Rodriguez are the only other players at the tournament this summer allowed to wear the patch, after winning the 2018 and 2014 Golden Boots, respectively.
The award has never been won back-to-back in the competition’s history. But with France being among the strong favourites and expected to go far, there’s every chance their talisman can scoop the honour once again. After all, he’s only four goals away from being the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer.
Mbappe: Lionel Messi Still the Best
Reuters/Maria Lysaker
While Mbappe is hunting his old Paris Saint-Germain teammate Lionel Messi down in the current Golden Boot race and the all-time scoring charts, he still concedes he has a lot to do to overtake the Argentine.
It was no surprise to Les Bleus’ number nine that Messi has continued to deliver on the big stage. He said (per ESPN): “I already knew Messi was going to keep scoring goals. He always does. He’s ahead of me and I’m behind him. I’ll keep scoring to help my national team go as far as possible.”
Following the greatest footballer of all time smashed a hat-trick against Algeria, Mbappe declared him still the best in the world. He claimed:
“It’s clear that Messi is the best in the world, and so is Cristiano [Ronaldo]. For 16 years, he [Messi] has shown his extraordinary talent. I’m just trying to do what I know how to do: show my talent on the biggest stage possible and help my national team.”
Newcastle United have lined up a deal to sign a midfielder this summer, as the Magpies face the possibility of losing some key players in the coming weeks.
A deal for the former seems the most likely, meaning Newcastle are on the market for replacements, and one target is now seemingly in the club’s sights.
Newcastle Add Felix Nmecha To Shortlist
According to a report from journalist Craig Hope, Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha is on Newcastle’s shortlist as a transfer target for this summer.
The Magpies are described as “long-term admirers” of the 25-year-old, who has impressed in the Bundesliga as well as in the World Cup with Germany in recent weeks.
Nmecha has a release clause in his deal worth £73.5 million, though that doesn’t come into effect until next summer. That said, the report claims that there is hope a move can be negotiated for lower than that price.
There is likely to be some competition for Nmecha’s signature, as Manchester United have been linked with a transfer, along with fellow Premier League rivals Liverpool.
It remains to be seen whether Newcastle can get an agreement with both Dortmund and the Germany international over a potential transfer in the coming weeks as a result.
Newcastle are facing a tough summer transfer window, with Anthony Gordon’s exit set to be just the first of a few key moves away from the club.
Given the struggles in the Premier League last season, the Magpies will be keen to not be in a weaker position next campaign when it comes to the options available.
However, it may be the sales that help ensure that is the case. Selling some important players in favour of huge transfer fees could allow it to be reinvested in a way that will add a better balance of quality across the whole squad.
Newcastle United are in the market for a striker, as one star looks set to leave the club this summer.
That, in theory, should allow the team to become stronger. But that will only happen if the right transfer replacements are found for the right price.
That was the theory in practice last summer, with Alexander Isak’s sale generating a club-record fee, but resulting in the wrong options being signed to take his place.
Newcastle cannot allow a repeat of that, especially in the midfield engine room, which has been among the key areas of strength under Howe.
Yan Diomande’s early coach Faissal Chehade explains why Liverpool could be the perfect fit, and why his ceiling may be Ballon d’Or level.
Chehade, who worked with Diomande at Leganés, reveals on Market Madness what stood out from the very beginning: the confidence, the one-v-one ability, the training-ground moments that made coaches take notice, and the mentality behind his rise from rejection across Europe to becoming one of the most talked-about young players in world football.
He also breaks down why Leipzig was the right step, why Liverpool could give Diomande the platform to become “the main man,” and why he believes the winger has the potential to reach the very top of the game.
Chapters:
0:09 — Yan Diomande’s First Coach Reveals the Talent
2:07 — The Training Goal That Made Everyone Stop
3:36 — Why Yan Diomande Was Rejected Across Europe
4:21 — Why Leipzig Was the Perfect Move for Diomande
4:55 — Why Liverpool Could Be Yan Diomande’s Perfect Fit
8:02 — Yan Diomande’s Ballon d’Or Ceiling Explained
