New travel restrictions imposed by the United States are casting a shadow over the World Cup dreams of football enthusiasts from several African nations, particularly Senegal and Ivory Coast. These nations were added to a list of countries facing entry limitations into the U.S. in December, creating a challenging situation for fans eager to support their teams at the tournament, which the U.S. will co-host with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. The ban has ignited considerable frustration among supporters currently engaged in the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, with many lamenting their inability to secure visas for travel.
The U.S. government's decision to implement these travel restrictions, citing "screening and vetting deficiencies," has drawn criticism from football fans. Djibril Gueye, a Senegalese supporter in Tangier, Morocco, questioned the rationale behind the ban, stating that host nations should facilitate attendance for all qualifying countries. His sentiments are echoed by fans from other affected nations, including Iran and Haiti, who also face similar entry barriers. While an exception has been made for players, team officials, and their immediate families, the absence of a similar provision for devoted supporters has caused immense distress and uncertainty.
Many fans, who have faithfully followed their teams across various international competitions, are now left hoping for a policy reversal. Fatou Diedhiou, president of a Senegalese female fan group, expressed uncertainty about the future, saying, "Now we just wait because the World Cup isn't here yet, maybe they'll change their minds. We don't know. We wait and see." Sheikh Sy, another dedicated Senegalese supporter, articulated his determination to attend, emphasizing, "We've traveled everywhere with our team because we are the national fans of Senegal. So, since Senegal has qualified for the World Cup, we absolutely have to go."
Both Senegal and Ivory Coast have crucial matches scheduled in the U.S. Senegal is set to play France and Norway in New Jersey, and a playoff winner in Toronto. Ivory Coast will face Ecuador and Curacao in Philadelphia, and Germany in Toronto. The coaches and players recognize the importance of fan support, with Ivory Coast coach Emerse Faé expressing optimism that a solution will be found. He highlighted a similar situation during the Africa Cup, where initial visa hurdles for Ivorian fans were eventually resolved. Faé stressed that football is a celebration, and denying fans the opportunity to experience the World Cup would be a significant loss.
Despite the challenges, players remain focused on their performance on the field. Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande stated, "It's OK for us, we can play without supporters. The most important thing is to win every game and fight for every game." Team captain Franck Kessie echoed this sentiment, suggesting that political avenues should be explored to resolve the issue. He believes that the Ivorian Football Federation, in conjunction with the government, will work towards facilitating fan attendance.
Beyond the travel restrictions, the high cost of attending the World Cup also presents a significant obstacle for many. Pape, a Senegalese fan with dual French citizenship, noted that while he could travel, he chooses not to due to his "political conviction" and the exorbitant ticket prices, feeling that the event has become overly commercialized. Similarly, Ivorian supporter Tan Detopeu voiced concerns that even without the travel ban, few Ivorian fans would be able to afford the trip, anticipating limited support for their team in the U.S.