The United States has said that it would ease its system of demanding bond payments of visa applicants for certain fans seeking to come for the World Cup.
Under one of President Donald Trump's many initiatives to crack down on migration, the United States has begun asking people from 50 countries to hand over anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 for a US visa, refundable once they return home.
The State Department said it would waive the bonds for team members competing in World Cup matches in the United States as well as for fans from competing countries who already have tickets and signed up for a priority system set up for visas.
Five African countries that qualified for the World Cup are among those whose nationals are required to pay visa bonds: Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia.
The World Cup, which kicks off June 11, is being co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.