The 2026 FIFA World Cup has not yet fully settled into its rhythm on the pitch, but off it the tournament is facing mounting scrutiny over a growing immigration and visa crisis that has affected players, officials, referees and supporters from several participating nations.

The latest controversy involves Côte d’Ivoire, whose supporters have reportedly been unable to secure visas in sufficient numbers to travel to the United States. French newspaper L’Équipe reported that roughly 500 Ivorian fans had planned to attend the tournament, but many failed to obtain entry documents in time for kickoff.

The issue has become another flashpoint in what is rapidly developing into one of the defining stories of the tournament’s opening week.

Only days earlier, Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry into the United States despite being selected to officiate at the World Cup. FIFA subsequently confirmed that one of Africa’s top referees would be unable to participate in the competition.

Iran has also been engulfed in controversy. Iranian football authorities claimed their allocation of supporter tickets for World Cup matches was withdrawn, while reports indicated that several officials and staff members encountered visa difficulties.

Meanwhile, supporters from countries including Senegal and Haiti have reportedly faced similar travel barriers, fueling concerns that large sections of the global football community are being excluded from the tournament despite their nations earning qualification on sporting merit.

The controversy is particularly sensitive because FIFA awarded the tournament to the United States, Canada and Mexico while repeatedly emphasizing that all participating nations and their supporters would be welcomed. Critics argue that the current situation risks undermining those commitments and damages the image of a competition intended to unite the world through sport.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the organization’s position, stressing that FIFA does not control national immigration systems and can only operate within the framework established by host governments. However, those explanations have done little to quiet criticism from affected federations and supporter groups.

Human-rights organizations and immigration experts have warned that visa restrictions, lengthy processing times and heightened security measures risk creating a World Cup experience that is inaccessible to many supporters from Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia. Some analysts estimate that fans from more than a quarter of participating nations have faced either travel restrictions, visa complications or unusually high rejection rates.

For Côte d’Ivoire, the consequences are immediate. One of Africa’s most passionate fan bases is expected to be largely absent from stadiums where the Elephants will attempt to navigate a challenging group featuring Germany and Ecuador. The atmosphere generated by travelling supporters is often considered a crucial part of the World Cup experience, and their absence will be felt both inside and outside the stadium.

As the tournament unfolds, the football itself may eventually dominate headlines. Yet the growing list of visa disputes—from fans and federation officials to accredited referees—has already exposed one uncomfortable reality: for some participants, qualifying for the World Cup was easier than getting into the host country.

And unless solutions are found quickly, the tournament billed as football’s greatest global celebration risks being remembered as much for who was left out as for who took part.