Koulibaly Condemns US Travel Ban Blocking African Fans at World Cup
Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly has criticised the US immigration policy that stopped many African supporters from attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup in New York and New Jersey. Speaking after Senegal’s 3-1 Group I loss to France, Koulibaly highlighted the stark imbalance in the stands, where French fans heavily outnumbered the Teranga Lions followers. He noted that while the federation secured visas for players’ families, ordinary supporters were denied entry. The partial travel ban announced in December 2025 suspended entry from several African nations, including Senegal and Ivory Coast. Koulibaly appealed for fair access, insisting that football must remain open to all national fans without political barriers. With Senegal needing key results against Norway and Iraq to progress, the absence of a full, vibrant home crowd adds extra pressure to their campaign.
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