Hundreds of football fans from Argentina and Ivory Coast were denied US visas ahead of the 2026 World Cup, affecting their ability to attend the tournament across the United States and Canada.
Argentine electronics company Newsan gave 100 Noblex televisions for free to the first 100 Argentina fans who lined up outside its Buenos Aires office with denied US visa paperwork from January to June 2026. Newsan started distributing the TVs on June 10, 2026, as a consolation to fans unable to travel for the tournament [1, 2]. One recipient, Tomas Vageller, said, "I went to get a visa because we all think it will be Messi’s last World Cup. It’s very sad I won’t be able to see it, but well, I’m leaving with a gift" [2].
Meanwhile, Ivory Coast home-based fans also had their US visas rejected, forcing the cancellation of their planned trip to the World Cup [3]. Ivory Coast supporters expected about 500 people to travel before the denials [3]. Julien Kouadio Adonis, president of the Ivory Coast National Committee of Elephants Supporters, said the US government indicated it does not want supporters from certain countries, including Ivory Coast, on its soil. He told reporters, "The supporters have cancelled the trip because the US government does not want to see supporters from certain countries, including Ivory Coast, on its soil" and added, "This situation hurts us deeply because it prevents us from fulfilling our sacred duty, which is to support our team" [3].
Somali referee Omar Artan and some Iranian team support staff were also denied US entry for the tournament [3].
Ivory Coast faces group matches in Philadelphia against Ecuador on June 15 and Curacao on June 25, with a game in Toronto against Germany scheduled between those dates [3].
In Argentina, enthusiasm for the 2026 World Cup has waned compared to 2022, partly due to visa refusals and the possibility that it will be Lionel Messi’s final World Cup appearance [2].
The distribution of TVs by Newsan remains ongoing for those with denied US visas from January through June 2026, providing some relief to fans unable to attend the World Cup in person [2].
