U.S. travel ban leaves Africa fans in WC limbo

"Fans of two of Africa's top football nations have had their World Cup plans upended because of a travel ban imposed by the Trump administration. Senegal and Ivory Coast were added in December to the list of countries with partial restrictions on entry to the United States, which is co-hosting the June 11-July 19 tournament with Canada and Mexico. Fans cheering for the two West African teams at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco were dismayed by the restrictions, which effectively bar those who don't already have visas from traveling to the U.S. to watch the World Cup."

""I don't know why the American president would want teams from certain countries not to take part. If that's the case, they shouldn't agree to host the World Cup," Senegal supporter Djibril Gueye told The Associated Press in Tangier, Morocco. "It's up to the United States to provide the conditions, the means, and the resources to allow the qualified countries so everyone can go and support their team," Gueye said. President Donald Trump cited " screening and vetting deficiencies " as the main reason for the suspensions."

"Fans from Iran and Haiti, two other countries who have qualified for the World Cup, will be barred from entering the United States as well; they were included in the first iteration of the travel ban announced by the Trump administration. The restrictions include an exception for players, team officials and immediate relatives traveling to the World Cup, but no allowance has been made for supporters. "We really want to participate but we don't know how," said Fatou Diedhiou, the president of a group of female Senegal fans. "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.""

A U.S. travel ban added Senegal and Ivory Coast in December, creating partial entry restrictions ahead of the June 11–July 19 World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The restrictions effectively prevent supporters who do not already hold U.S. visas from traveling to watch matches. Players, team officials and immediate relatives are exempted, but no allowance exists for general fans. Iran and Haiti face similar travel barriers after earlier inclusion in the ban. Fans expressed dismay and uncertainty, hoping for policy changes to allow wider supporter attendance before the tournament begins.

Read at ESPN.com