Visa Issues Could Bar Brazilian Fans From 2026 World Cup

Brazil could play the entirety of the 2026 World Cup without the support of their fans next year. The showpiece tournament will get underway on June 11 and is set to be jointly hosted by Canada, the USA, and Mexico, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side one of three South American nations to have already qualified for the competition.

As the record five-time winners of the World Cup, expectations will be high for Brazil to rediscover their glory days, having not won a major international tournament since the 2019 Copa America. But with the likes of Neymar, Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, and Alisson in their squad, supporters have every reason to talk up their chances.

However, due to a controversial rule change, those fans may have to cheer their beloved nation on from a TV screen next summer. A report from The Sun details ongoing diplomatic tensions between the USA and Brazil that could lead to potential visa issues for travelling supporters.

England, Brazil, and Spain are among the current favourites for glory ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Brazil Could Be Without Fans For 2026 World Cup
Diplomatic tensions between USA and Brazil could cause issues

Brazil – perhaps more than any other country in the world – is renowned for its passionate fanbase, with the carnivalesque support of clubs like Flamengo, Palmeiras, Botafogo, and Fluminense showcasing just how deeply the beautiful game is woven into the nation’s identity. Yet, according to CNN, President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a ban on visas for Brazilians – including during the World Cup period.

According to journalist Lourival Sant’Anna, visa restrictions for Brazilian citizens were already being quietly implemented this week as Brazilian senators visited Washington. The travelling politicians were issued significantly more limited visas, restricting the number of days they could remain in the US.

This wouldn’t be the first time the US president has barred citizens from entering the country – he issued a similar ban on Iranians back in June. While FIFA has yet to comment on the situation, Gianni Infantino is said to be close to Trump, with the two spending considerable time together during the Club World Cup.

Back in April, Trump announced that Brazilian imports would face a 10 per cent tariff – the base rate applied to most nations. But nearly four months later, that rate has skyrocketed to 50 per cent, placing Brazil among the countries facing the highest US tariffs in the world.

Givemesport.com