Dozens of Moroccan fans denied US Visas for World Cup, losing thousands in tickets, hotel bookings

Forty members of a Moroccan supporters association have been denied United States visas ahead of the 2026 World Cup, leaving fans who spent thousands of dollars on match tickets and hotel bookings unable to travel to the tournament, the group’s leader said.

Head of the Sports Association of Moroccan National Team Fans, Azzedine Al Attaraoui, , told Hespress English that 40 of 42 applicants from cities including Casablanca, Marrakech, Fès and Tétouan were refused visas without explanation.

“No clear reasons were given for the visa refusals,” he said.

“We just want to support our national team,” the head of the Sports Association of Moroccan National Team Fans emphasized.

Al Attaraoui said the group has always stood by the national team and traveled to major tournaments, including the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, as well as the Paris Olympics, just to support the team.

The fans, he said, had fully prepared for the trip and complied with FIFA requirements, including buying match tickets in advance.

“Some had bought tickets for up to three matches at around $500 each, totaling $1,500, in addition to visa fees of 1,800 MAD,” the head of the association noted.

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.

He called on FIFA to intervene over the visa issue and urged Morocco’s Foreign Ministry to help facilitate the fans’ travel so they can support the Atlas Lions at the tournament.

“If they asked for financial guarantees, we would do that,” he said, adding that many supporters had now lost significant amounts of money invested in tickets and travel arrangements after their visa applications were rejected. Several members of the Sbouaa (Lions) supporters group, known for backing Morocco’s national football team, were also denied US visas, according to Mourad Hamana, the group’s founder.

Hamana told Hespress English that nearly 50 group coordinators, who are responsible for organizing supporters in the stands, applied for visas, but only six were approved.

“To organize thousands of fans, six people is a very small number,” he said.

He added that at least 30 coordinators would be needed to create the atmosphere Moroccan fans have become known for at tournaments such as the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the Africa Cup of Nations 2025.

“All of us have stable situations in Morocco and no intention of migrating,” Hamana emphasized, noting that many applicants were refused under Section 214, which is often cited when consular officers are not convinced an applicant will return to their home country after their trip.

Hamana also called on Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita to intervene, recalling that Moroccan authorities had previously helped facilitate visas for supporters travelling to Chile to support Morocco’s U20 national team, where visas were issued in a short time.