Key facts
- Ivory Coast fans have been denied visas to enter the United States for the World Cup.
- The president of the Ivory Coast national supporters' committee cited US government policy as the reason for the denials.
- The supporters' group has cancelled their travel plans as a result.
- Ivory Coast's team is scheduled to play matches in Philadelphia and Toronto.
Ivory Coast's home-based supporters have been denied visas to the United States for the upcoming World Cup, according to Julien Kouadio Adonis, president of the National Committee of Elephants Supporters (CNSE). Adonis told AFP that the US government has made it clear it does not wish to see supporters from certain countries, including Ivory Coast, on its soil.
The decision has led the CNSE to cancel its planned trip for fans, a move Adonis described as deeply hurtful as it prevents them from fulfilling their duty to support their team. Ivory Coast is scheduled to play two of its three group matches in Philadelphia, on June 15 and June 25, with another match in Toronto against Germany.