US Embassy in Dakar Denies Visas to Senegalese FA Officials Ahead of 2026 World Cup

Rabat – The United States embassy in Dakar has refused entry visas to six members of the Senegalese Football Federation, blocking their travel for organizational duties linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

According to Africa Top Sports, the decision reflects tighter immigration policies that US authorities introduced at the start of 2026. 

These rules require more detailed checks of official delegations, including the purpose of travel and administrative guarantees.

Journalist Micky Jnr reported that the list includes senior figures such as Amadou Kan, the fourth vice‑president of the federation, Moussa Mbaye, president of Stade de Mbour and member of the finance committee, and Modou Fall, president of AS Pikine.

Although the delegation carried official status, the refusals may be linked to procedural gaps or security assessments in the applications. 

The embassy has not issued a detailed explanation, but sources suggest incomplete documentation or concerns over compliance with new entry standards.

This development comes as FIFA continues to stress its commitment to facilitating travel for all delegations involved in the 2026 World Cup. 

The governing body has said it wants to ensure smooth movement for teams, officials, and support staff across host cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The refusal of visas to six Senegalese officials shows the challenges that stricter US immigration rules pose in the run‑up to the World Cup. 

With preparations intensifying, the incident raises questions about how federations from Africa and beyond will navigate the new requirements to ensure their staff can fulfill duties at football’s biggest event.