World Cup visa restrictions are angering fans from several qualified countries as US travel bans, tighter rules and high rejection rates threaten access to matches.
BBC World Service analysis found supporters from more than a quarter of participating countries face travel bans, stricter visa rules or high rejection rates.
The issue has affected fans from Iraq, Jordan, Senegal and Ivory Coast, among others. Several told the BBC that visa barriers had left them unable or unwilling to travel.
Iraqi supporter Abdulla Adnan bought tickets for Iraq’s matches against Norway in Boston and France in Philadelphia. He later abandoned his visa attempt after routine US consular services in Iraq were suspended.
The US has travel bans or tighter visa restrictions affecting four World Cup countries: Haiti, Iran, Senegal and Ivory Coast.
Ivory Coast fan association official Julien Kouadio Adonis called the restrictions “a form of segregation.” His group decided not to try sending fans to the United States.
BBC analysis of US State Department data found visa rejection rates above 40 percent for citizens of 11 qualified countries, including Ecuador, Egypt, Haiti, Algeria, Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan, Iran, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana and Senegal.
Immigration lawyer Celine Atallah said FIFA Pass could speed up visa interview appointments for ticket holders. However, she said it did not improve the chance of visa approval.
Read: World Cup Visa Bonds Waived For Eligible Fans
A US State Department spokesperson said the administration was prepared to welcome visitors for the tournament. The spokesperson said each visa case would undergo rigorous review under US law.
Canada and Mexico are co-hosting the tournament, but 78 of 104 matches, including the final, will be played in US cities.
