Fans of Senegal and the Ivory Coast, two of Africa’s top soccer nations, are facing a major setback in their plans to attend the World Cup in the United States due to a travel ban imposed by the Trump administration. The ban, which was expanded in December to include the two West African countries, restricts entry to the US for citizens without visas, effectively barring them from traveling to watch the tournament.
The news has come as a disappointment to fans who were eagerly looking forward to cheering on their teams at the World Cup, which is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19. Senegal and the Ivory Coast have both qualified for the tournament, with Senegal set to play its first match against France on June 16 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, and the Ivory Coast facing Ecuador on June 14 in Philadelphia.
The travel ban has been cited as a major concern by fans, who are calling on the US government to provide a solution to allow them to attend the tournament. “I don’t know why the American president would want teams from certain countries not to take part,” said Djibril Gueye, a Senegal supporter. “If that’s the case, they shouldn’t agree to host the World Cup.”
The restrictions have also been criticized by team officials, who point out that the ban will limit the number of fans who can attend the matches. “It’s a celebration, football is a celebration, and for me, it would be a real shame – especially since the World Cup only comes around every four years – it would be a real shame not to let our supporters come and experience this celebration,” said Ivory Coast coach Emerse Faé.
The travel ban is not the only hurdle facing fans, with the high cost of tickets also being cited as a major concern. Many fans have expressed disappointment that the tournament has become inaccessible to ordinary people, with one fan saying that it has become “all about the business world” and that the “grassroots aspect” has been ignored.
Despite the challenges, fans remain hopeful that a solution can be found to allow them to attend the tournament. The Ivory Coast Football Federation has said that it is working with the government to make it easier for fans to attend the matches, and some fans are holding out hope that the US government will reconsider the travel ban. As the tournament approaches, it remains to be seen whether a solution can be found to allow fans from Senegal and the Ivory Coast to attend and cheer on their teams.
