Visa bonds threaten KC's World Cup international turnout
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Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
Kansas City's international visitor turnout for the World Cup faces uncertainty after the Trump administration began requiring fans from 50 countries to pay up to $15,000 to enter the U.S.
Why it matters: FIFA told host cities to expect roughly half of all visitors to come from abroad, including fans from Algeria and Tunisia, which are set to play matches here. This barrier to entry puts KC's projected $653 million economic boost at risk.
How it works: The Trump administration's Visa Bond Pilot Program requires fans from specific countries to deposit between $5,000 and $15,000 per person before receiving a tourist visa.
- A consular officer determines the amount during the visa interview. The bond is refunded if the visitor leaves the U.S. on time. It is forfeited if they overstay or seek asylum.
- There is no written exemption for athletes, coaches or support staff.
- The deposit comes on top of already record-high ticket prices, airfare and lodging.
Zoom in: Algeria's national team chose Lawrence as its base camp, hosting players and staff at the University of Kansas' Rock Chalk Park throughout the tournament.
- The city has been preparing for Algerian fans to follow the team there by watching training sessions and spending money locally for more than a year.
- Algeria plays two group stage matches at Arrowhead Stadium: on June 16 against Argentina and on June 27 against Austria. Tunisia plays in KC on June 25 against the Netherlands.
State of play: The State Department says the program is about national security.
- "Our highest priority is the safety and security of American citizens," State Department deputy spokesperson Mignon Houston said. "Before anything else, that is our highest priority."
- The bond targets countries the department says have high rates of visa overstay or have failed to provide adequate national security information.
What they're saying: "We recognize that recent visa policies may create questions for some international fans, including those traveling from Tunisia and Algeria. We continue to see high interest in the World Cup in Kansas City, and we're focused on creating memories for visitors and sustained and long-term impact for the region," a KC2026 spokesperson told Axios.
- Ruth DeWitt with Explore Lawrence, the city's tourism bureau, told Axios it's still planning for strong Algerian fan turnout, though not necessarily from Algeria itself.
- "We know there are quite a few Algerians living in American cities. We are hopeful we will draw those fans to Lawrence to watch their team compete," said DeWitt.
What we're watching: Visit KC told Axios it's not revising its 650,000 visitor projection. After the tournament, the final count will be compared against that number, showing whether the visa bond had a measurable impact on international turnout.