Football is called the beautiful game because is built on a foundation of global unity.
There is no country where there is no football. For that reason, the game is expanding with each passing at a higher rate than any other discipline. That is why for one month every four years, borders blur and the world comes together to not only celebrate sport, but also culture and shared passion.
The 2026 Fifa World Cup, to be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, promises to be the greatest such celebration yet. However, a recent and ill-timed decision by the United States government threatens to shatter that promise for thousands of loyal fans, particularly from nations like Uganda.
The introduction of a visa bond program requiring a refundable cash deposit of $5,000 to $15,000 [Shs 17m to Shs 53m] from applicants from countries with higher overstay rates is a direct blow to the spirit of the World Cup.
While I understand the need for immigration compliance, the timing is catastrophic and the logic, when applied to verified football fans, is fundamentally flawed. I speak from experience. I have travelled to every World Cup since 2010. I was welcomed warmly in South Africa, Brazil, Russia and Qatar.
The profile of a fan who saves for years to attend this tournament is not that of an immigration risk. By the time a Ugandan fan has secured a World Cup ticket for a match, which can cost between $2,500 and $10,000 on top of arranging flights and accommodation, they have already demonstrated significant financial means and a singular, time-bound purpose: to watch football.
To demand an additional bond on top of this enormous investment is not due diligence; it is discrimination. It transforms the World Cup from a global festival into an elitist gated community.
This policy will have a demoralising effect. Many Ugandans who have already invested in the dream of 2026 are now facing an impossible financial hurdle. The bond requirement doesn’t just assess risk; it actively sidelines passionate, law-abiding supporters from the global showpiece.
It tells an entire continent that its passion is suspect and its presence conditional on a cash deposit. But this is not just a loss for African fans; it is a loss for the United States and for football itself. The World Cup is a unique economic and cultural opportunity.
These fans are tourists who will spend thousands on hotels, transportation, merchandise, and local businesses. Alienating them deprives host cities of vibrant atmosphere and crucial revenue.
An empty seat where a Ugandan, Algerian or Nigerian fan should be is a symbol of a failed policy and a missed connection. Imagine traveling to watch your Algerian team to the group phase match in Mexico City but can follow it up because their next match is in the USA. It can be embarrassing.
Therefore, I propose a win-win solution that respects both USA security concerns and the spirit of the game. For instance, it is not too late to create a verified fan visa waiver. Put simply, for any applicant who can provide official proof of Fifa-issued match tickets and a detailed, pre-paid itinerary, the bond requirement should be waived.
Their investment and planned return date are already the strongest guarantee of compliance. Secondly, establish a Fifa-USA government partnership. Fifa has the data.
They can work together to create a streamlined process where ticket purchase through official channels automatically triggers a pre-clearance flag in the visa application system, thereby fast-tracking fans and replacing the bond with the tangible commitment they have already made.
What’s more, this is a chance for the USA to welcome the world and showcase its hospitality. The legacy of 2026 should be one of inclusivity and shared joy, not financial exclusion.
To the USA embassy in Kampala, I urge you to reconsider. See the football fan for who they are, a committed spectator, a short-term visitor and an ambassador of their nation’s passion.
Do not let a blanket policy extinguish the dreams of thousands and dim the vibrant, diverse colours of the 2026 World Cup. The world is watching. Let us ensure that everyone who wants to, can actually be there to see it.
The author is a football investor and SC Villa president emeritus.
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