Moroccan fans frozen out of the 2026 World Cup after mass US visa refusals

For dozens of Moroccan football fans, the 2026 World Cup was supposed to be another chapter in a long, loyal journey following the Atlas Lions across continents. Instead, it has turned into a financial and emotional blow, as at least 40 supporters were denied US visas despite months of preparation, thousands spent, and a spotless record of following their national team abroad.

The denials have been delivered without clear explanation. They have left fans stranded with match tickets, hotel bookings, and travel plans they can no longer use. For many, the losses run into the tens of thousands of dirhams.

World Cup: everyone saw this coming

The Sports Association of Moroccan National Team Fans, a long‑standing and well‑organized supporters’ group, saw 40 of its 42 applicants rejected. Members had applied from Casablanca, Marrakech, Fès, and Tétouan, expecting routine approvals given their travel history and the nature of their trip.

The group’s head, Azzedine Al Attaraoui, said:

No clear reasons were given for the visa refusals.

We just want to support our national team.

Hespress English reported that:

Al Attaraoui added that several supporters had already booked hotels costing between $400 and $1,000 per night, with some total expenses reaching up to 20,000 MAD covering tickets, visas, travel, and paperwork.

Many of these fans had followed Morocco to Russia in 2018, Qatar in 2022, and even the Paris Olympics but always returning home, always representing the country with pride.

Another group, same story

The Sbouaa (Lions) supporters’ group, who are known for orchestrating the noise, choreography, and atmosphere that have become synonymous with Moroccan fan culture, have faced a similar fate. Nearly 50 of their coordinators applied for visas. Only six were approved.

For a group tasked with organizing thousands of fans inside stadiums, six coordinators is nowhere near enough. They estimate they need at least 30 to recreate the energy seen in Qatar 2022 or the Africa Cup of Nations.

The rejections, they say, were largely issued under Section 214. This is a clause used when consular officers doubt an applicant’s intention to return home. The coordinators insist this makes no sense, they have stable lives in Morocco, long travel histories, and no intention of overstaying.

What stings most is the inconsistency. Moroccan authorities have previously helped facilitate visas for supporters traveling to Chile for the U20 national team. Those visas were issued quickly and efficiently. Fans expected similar cooperation for the World Cup, especially given Morocco’s rising global football profile.

Instead, they find themselves locked out of the tournament they helped energize in previous editions.

Dreams shattered

Behind the numbers are stories of sacrifice. Fans who saved for months. Families who planned entire trips around the World Cup. Supporters who have never missed a major tournament. Coordinators who volunteer their time to create the atmosphere that has made Moroccan fans famous worldwide.

Now, many of them are left with nothing but receipts and disappointment.

This is a real blow to Morocco’s footballing identity. Moroccan supporters have become one of the most celebrated fanbases in world football. Their passion in Qatar was widely praised, and their presence at AFCON tournaments is always felt.

The mass visa refusals threaten to mute that presence at the 2026 World Cup. A tournament where Morocco’s fan culture could have shone again on a global stage.

What can happen 

For now, the fans are waiting. Waiting for answers, for intervention, for a solution that might salvage their World Cup dreams. They are calling on FIFA to acknowledge the issue and on Moroccan authorities to advocate on their behalf.

Whether anything changes remains uncertain, but the message from the supporters is clear, they want to be there for their team, as they always have been.

If the situation remains unresolved, the 2026 World Cup may unfold without one of its most vibrant and recognisable fanbases. For the fans, it’s a painful prospect, it’s a loss of energy and support. For the tournament itself, it’s a reminder that football’s global celebration can be derailed by corrupt politicians.

Featured Image courtesy of Francois Nel/Getty Images