US visa curbs leave World Cup teams leaning on diasporas | OneFootball

According to L'Équipe, US entry curbs are hindering foreign fans, pushing teams to lean on expatriate support at this World Cup.

After weeks of uncertainty, Iran's players received US visas late last week. Several staff and federation figures, including president Mehdi Taj, had not at that stage. Many supporters, including past visitors, were reportedly refused.

Since one January, Iran has sat on a red list of 19 countries with visa issuance suspended, save narrow exemptions for diplomacy, dual nationals and some major sporting participants. Haiti is also affected among qualified nations.

In late March, the Trump administration tightened screening, adding bonds of 5,000 to 15,000 dollars for some applicants from Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal and Tunisia. From mid-May it was lifted for players, delegations and fans with tickets bought before 15 April, by which point many had already been dissuaded.

Ticket-holders were asked to register for FIFA Pass to speed consular interviews. Visas are issued only after full checks confirm eligibility.

With travel constrained, some teams will turn to domestic diasporas. About one million Haitians live in the US, and Iranians number several hundred thousand, as do Colombians and Ecuadorians.

Source: L'Équipe