Côte d’Ivoire Fans Barred from 2026 FIFA World Cup as US Visa Rejections Devastate Elephant Supporters

Côte d’Ivoire’s participation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been overshadowed by a visa access dispute, after officials from the National Committee of Elephant Supporters (CNSE) confirmed that fans based in the country will be unable to travel to the United States for the tournament.

The CNSE had originally planned to send up to 500 supporters to cheer on The Elephants during their group-stage fixtures. That ambition has been effectively dismantled by US visa rejections, with only a small contingent of CNSE officials having received permission to enter the country.

Julien Kouadio Adonis, president of the CNSE, made clear the organisation holds US authorities directly responsible for the situation. According to L’Equipe, Adonis stated: “The supporters gave up the trip because the American state does not want to see supporters from certain countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, on its soil. The United States was clear with us by saying that they did not want to see our supporters.”

A second supporters’ leader also spoke to the emotional toll of the development. “This situation hurts us a lot because it prevents us from doing our royal duty, that is, supporting our team. We could have presented our culture, our know-how in supporting in the stands,” the official said.

Côte d’Ivoire are scheduled to play two of their three group-stage matches on US soil. They face Ecuador in Philadelphia on June 15, before taking on Curaçao, also in Philadelphia, on June 25. Their second group game, against Germany on June 20, will be held in Toronto, Canada.

The CNSE officials who have been granted travel authorisation are not expected to function as traditional travelling supporters. According to the organisation, their primary role will be to coordinate with members of the Ivorian diaspora already residing in the United States, helping to organise local backing for the squad during the competition.

The situation facing Ivorian fans is not an isolated case. Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was reportedly denied entry into the United States despite holding a valid visa, an incident that has added to the scrutiny surrounding US immigration procedures in the context of the World Cup.

Côte d’Ivoire arrive at the tournament as the reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions, having won AFCON 2023 on home soil. The prospect of competing at football’s largest stage without the organised backing of domestic supporters represents a significant blow to the squad’s morale and the broader visibility of Ivorian football on a global platform.

The visa controversy feeds into a wider conversation about inclusivity and access at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Critics have raised concerns that US immigration policy could disproportionately affect supporters from African and other Global South nations, undermining the tournament’s stated aim of being a celebration of global football.