The United States has announced a temporary relaxation of strict visa bond requirements for certain visitors attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup, easing concerns that thousands of football supporters could be priced out of the tournament.

According to Channels Television, citing AFP, the US State Department said on Wednesday it would waive visa bond payments for players taking part in the competition, as well as ticket-holding fans from participating countries who joined a special visa priority system.

The move follows criticism of a Trump-era immigration policy that required visa applicants from 50 developing countries to deposit between $5,000 and $15,000 before entering the US. The money was to be refunded only after the traveller returned home.

Mora Namdar said the decision was aimed at balancing border security with the demands of hosting one of the world’s biggest sporting events.

She said the administration remained committed to national security while ensuring legitimate travel for the World Cup, adding that the goal was to host the “biggest and best” tournament in history.

FIFA welcomed the change, describing it as evidence of close cooperation between football authorities and the US government to ensure a successful tournament.

The original bond policy sparked concerns among football stakeholders because several qualified nations were affected. These include Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia.

Two other qualifiers, Haiti and Iran, were also facing near-total travel restrictions under wider US entry controls.

A study by Mendoza Law Firm found that the financial barrier could significantly reduce fan attendance, especially from poorer countries. It noted that in some affected nations, the top bond amount represented around three years of average earnings.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins on June 11 and will be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.