Citizens of a select group of countries who have purchased tickets to this summer’s World Cup matches in the U.S. will no longer be required to provide thousands of dollars in visa bonds to enter the country and attend the tournament.

On Wednesday, the State Department confirmed the Trump administration is waiving a prior mandate requiring visitors from Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia to post visa bonds of up to $15,000 to enter the U.S.

The department imposed the bond requirement last year for countries it said had high rates of visa overstays and other security concerns as part of a broader immigration crackdown. Travelers from at least 50 countries are subject to the bond requirement, but the five aforementioned nations’ teams have qualified for this year’s World Cup.

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The FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed outside the White House in Washington, D.C., ahead of the FIFA World Cup Draw on Dec. 2, 2025. (Michael Regan/FIFA/Getty Images)

World Cup team players, coaches and some staff already had been exempt from the bond requirement as part of the administration’s orders to prioritize the processing of visas for the tournament.

STATE DEPT TO START ROLLING OUT FIFA PASS FOR FOREIGN SOCCER FANS LOOKING TO ATTEND WORLD CUP IN US

“The United States is excited to organize the biggest and best FIFA World Cup in history,” Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar said. “We are waiving visa bonds for qualified fans who bought World Cup tickets” and opted in to the FIFA Pass system that allows expedited visa appointments as of April 15.

In its own statement, FIFA said the announcement shows “our ongoing collaboration with the U.S. government and the White House task force for the FIFA World Cup to deliver a successful, record-breaking and unforgettable global event” and thanked the administration for the partnership.

President Donald Trump draws the United States card during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 5, 2025. (Michael Regan/FIFA via Getty Images)

However, the administration has barred travelers from Iran and Haiti, though World Cup players, coaches and other support personnel are exempt. Travelers from the Ivory Coast and Senegal face partial restrictions under an expanded version of that travel ban, even without the visa bond exemption.

The World Cup begins June 11 and is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Some measures from the administration prompted Amnesty International and dozens of U.S. civil and human rights groups to issue a “World Cup travel advisory” that warns travelers about the climate in the U.S.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino hands the FIFA World Cup Winners Trophy to President Donald Trump during an announcement in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 22, 2025. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

In a report this month, the main advocacy group for U.S. hotels blamed visa barriers and other geopolitical issues for “significantly suppressing international demand,” leading to hotel bookings for the soccer tournament that are far below what had initially been anticipated.

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As of early April, the number of World Cup fans affected by the bond requirement was believed to be relatively small, perhaps only about 250 people, according to U.S. officials who were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. But they said that number was changing rapidly as more people buy tickets and some with tickets opt against traveling.

FIFA had requested the waiver, which had to be approved by the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security, officials said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Naoya Inoue recently cemented his status as one of, if not the, best pound-for-pound fighters in the world with a win over countryman Junto Nakatani. The question is, can anybody beat him before he hangs up the gloves?

The Japanese phenomenon defended his four super-bantamweight belts for the seventh time against Nakatani at a sold-out Tokyo Dome, preserving his undefeated record in what many deemed to be the toughest test of his career so far.

With retirement not too far in the distance, the two-division undisputed champion intends to tackle one more weight class before he calls time on a Hall of Fame campaign. Ready and willing at 126lbs is Brooklyn’s Bruce Carrington.

Speaking to ES News, the WBC Featherweight champion said that watching the Nakatani fight only strengthened his belief that he is the man to beat ‘The Monster’.

“To be honest, I saw a lot of things that I can’t really say on here. I’ve been ready. Inoue is still a spectacular fighter, but I just know I have what it takes to beat him. Nakatani’s no slouch. I expected a good fight … he did what he needed to do to win.”

‘Shu Shu’, who won the vacant title against Carlos Castro in January and will return to the ring to defend it against Rene Palacios in July, then said that he will take the Inoue fight whenever it is offered.

“100%. I’m ready right now, I’m ready today, I’m ready tomorrow, I’m ready whenever. Come to the Shu Shu show, baby. I can’t wait to share the ring with you. It’s gonna be fireworks.”

Inoue has made his plans clear – fight once more at super-bantamweight, most likely against Jesse Rodriguez, and then move up to featherweight, which he has indicated will be the final challenge of his career. While he hasn’t mentioned Carrington by name, the 33-year-old says he wants to go straight for the belts.

As a long-reigning champion and pound-for-pound star moving up in weight, the sanctioning bodies would likely have no issue approving the opportunity.

Many fans, however, will believe that ‘Bam’ Rodriguez can upset those plans. The 26-year-old is set to move up to bantamweight to challenge for Antonio Vargas’ WBA title with a view to then making the Inoue fight happen in early 2027.

James Harden #1 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers look on against the Detroit Pistons during overtime in Game Five of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 13, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan.  Gregory Shamus/Getty Images/AFP (

DETROIT— James Harden scored a playoff-best 30 points and Donovan Mitchell had 21, helping the Cleveland Cavaliers come back from a nine-point deficit late in regulation and beat the Detroit Pistons 117-113 in overtime on Wednesday night to take a 3-2 lead in their NBA Eastern Conference semifinal series.

The Pistons led by 15 points in the first half and 103-94 with two-plus minutes left. The Cavs rallied and pulled into a 103-all tie on Evan Mobley’s free throws with 45.2 seconds left.

READ: NBA Playoffs: Donovan Mitchell flips Game 4 for Cavs vs Pistons

Cleveland went on a 13-0 run and held Detroit scoreless for five minutes from late in fourth quarter to midway through overtime. The Cavs went ahead by seven with 2:39 left in OT on Mitchell’s 3-pointer.

Cade Cunningham, who had 39 points and nine assists, made a jumper to pull the Pistons within two points with 25 seconds left.

Harden made one free throw on the ensuing possession and rebounded his missed second attempt. He made another free throw to help seal the win.

James Harden BALLED OUT in Game 5:

30 PTS8 REB6 AST3 BLK3 3PM

Cavs can advance to the Eastern Conference Finals with a win on Friday at 7:00pm/et on Prime 😤 pic.twitter.com/XKrFpIsyh4

— NBA (@NBA) May 14, 2026

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Game 6 is Friday night in Cleveland, where the fourth-seeded Cavs will get the first of two chances to advance to face the New York Knicks in the East finals.

If the top-seeded Pistons win, they will host Game 7 on Sunday.

Cleveland won the first road game of the series — and its first as a visitor this postseason.

The Pistons had won four straight games at home since Orlando put them on the brink of elimination in Game 5 of the first round.

Harden had eight rebounds and six assists. Max Strus made six 3-pointers and scored 20 points for the Cavs, Mobley added 19 points and Jarrett Allen had 16 points and nine rebounds.

Starting in place of the injured Duncan Robinson, Daniss Jenkins scored 19 points for the Pistons. Tobias Harris missed 13 of 19 shots and scored 13 points, and Jalen Duren was limited to nine points and five rebounds.

Mitchell was held to single digits in the first half for the second straight game, and couldn’t repeat his performance after halftime in Game 4. He was in pain after turning his right ankle in the first half.

Mitchell tied an NBA playoff record with 39 points in the second half and scored 43 points to help the Cavs rally to win Game 4.

The Pistons started the second quarter shooting 8 of 8 to take a 15-point lead.

Cunningham made a sixth 3-pointer, setting a career playoff high, and Jenkins connected from beyond the arc with 5:25 left in regulation to give Detroit a six-point lead and cap a 10-0 run that wasn’t enough the seal the win in regulation.

The road to ONE Fight Night 43: Tang vs. Gasanov on Prime Video runs through the scale. Before the world’s greatest martial artists can throw down at Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium this Friday, May 15, they must clear one final hurdle.

Every athlete who is scheduled for action must successfully weigh in and pass their hydration tests to ensure they’re healthy and ready to compete at their absolute best.

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Fans can watch the official ONE Fight Night 43 Weigh-Ins & Hydration Tests by clicking the video below beginning at 6 a.m. ET / 5 p.m. ICT on Thursday, May 14.

In the main event, reigning ONE Featherweight MMA World Champion Tang Kai will put his 26 pounds of gold on the line against Dagestani contender Shamil “The Cobra” Gasanov.

Tang, who is China’s first male MMA World Champion, carries a 19-3 record into the contest and has demolished every featherweight competitor who has stood across from him in the squared circle.

But when he steps into the ring in U.S. primetime this Friday, he will meet Gasanov. The Dagestani sensation has been near-flawless in his career. He owns an 18-1 slate and rides a five-bout winning streak, capped by a unanimous decision victory over Garry Tonon – the very man who handed him his only career defeat. One more triumph will give “The Cobra” his sweetest win to date.

Arsenal’s Stina Blackstenius scores a contentious goal in stoppage-time against Everton to secure a 1-0 win at the Emirates. The victory moves Arsenal into second place in the WSL ahead of the final day of the season.

MATCH REPORT: Arsenal 1-0 Everton

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A popular AEW star has finally made their return to the company earlier tonight on Dynamite following a brief absence. They have now set their sights on a top name on the roster.

Mark Briscoe has become one of the fan-favorites within the promotion, and his great charisma helps with this. He has been on a brief absence since early March, reportedly due to an injury. The nature of the injury was not disclosed, nor was a recovery timeline given.

Earlier tonight on AEW Dynamite, the Conglomeration was backstage as they spoke about their future plans. The group has earned themselves a tag team title shot after Orange Cassidy defeated Dax Harwood during their Double Jeopardy match last week. It will be Cassidy and Roderick Strong who will be challenging for the belts.

Kyle O’Reilly, on the other hand, has set his sights on Jon Moxley and his AEW Continental title. He noted how he had his number and was ready for a rematch. As for Willow Nightingale, she is the TBS Champion and one of the entrants in this year’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament. She looks to come away with two belts after the tournament ends.

After all of this, Orange Cassidy brought up how they should bring back their Word of the Day tradition. Before anything could be done, Roderick Strong shouted Mark Briscoe’s name, and in came the former TNT Champion. This was his first AEW appearance since March 11, when he teamed up with the Young Bucks to take on FTR and Tommaso Ciampa.

Briscoe then said the word of the day, before taking time to challenge Tommaso Ciampa to a match for next week. They have some unsettled business, and the Sussex County Chicken wanted payback after Ciampa turned on him a few months ago. It seems that all members of the Conglomeration will be busy for the rest of this month.