Several senior Senegalese football officials have had their visa applications rejected by United States authorities ahead of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to reports in the country’s media.
The decision affects members of the Senegalese Football Federation, who had begun formal travel procedures for upcoming engagements linked to the tournament, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
According to L’Observateur, at least six applications submitted on Tuesday through the American embassy in Dakar were turned down.
The applications reportedly included individuals from the federation’s executive committee, as well as invited guests connected to the organisation.
Among those affected are Amadou Kane, the federation’s fourth vice-president, Moussa Mbaye, president of Stade de Mbour, and Modou Fall, president of AS Pikine.
All three were informed that they were deemed ineligible for travel approval by US authorities, the report said.
The rejections come at a sensitive time, as preparations intensify across African football administrations ahead of the expanded World Cup format.
Administrative delegations typically travel in advance to attend organisational meetings, logistical briefings and coordination sessions with FIFA and host nation representatives.
No official statement has yet been issued by either the Senegalese Football Federation or US diplomatic representatives in Dakar regarding the reasons for the refusals.
It is also not yet clear whether the affected officials will be able to reapply or appeal the decision before scheduled pre-tournament events.
The visa issue is expected to cause disruption within the federation’s planning structure, particularly as senior officials play a key role in overseeing international coordination and tournament preparation.
With the World Cup approaching, such meetings are considered important for ensuring smooth participation logistics for national teams and their delegations.
Senegal, a regular participant in the World Cup in recent editions, will be closely monitoring developments as organisational timelines progress.
The situation adds an unexpected administrative challenge for officials involved in managing the country’s football affairs on the international stage.
Further clarification from relevant authorities is expected in the coming days as discussions continue behind the scenes regarding travel arrangements and eligibility assessments.
