Image @Getty Images
As the United States prepares to host the biggest sporting event in the world, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a new policy under consideration by the Trump administration threatens to shrink the very economic gains the tournament promises to bring.
The administration is looking to expand its travel ban to cover 36 new countries, including Ghana, a nation with a deep love for football and growing tourism ties with the U.S. While the move is being justified on national security and immigration control grounds, experts warn that the economic cost, especially to the U.S. tourism and hospitality industries, could be heavy.
And Ghana, though just one country on the list, helps tell the story.
Ghana may not be a top source of international travelers to the U.S., but its people are active participants in the global tourism economy.
Thousands of Ghanaians travel to the U.S. every year, not just for school or business, but for events, family reunions, shopping, and tourism. With the World Cup around the corner, interest in travel has surged.
For many Ghanaian football fans, attending the World Cup in 2026 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But if the travel ban goes into effect, that door could close.
The ban will restrict visa access for citizens of countries that fail to meet U.S. standards on document verification and visa compliance, criteria Ghana is now under pressure to meet.
Even if Ghana isn’t hit with a full ban, partial restrictions or prolonged visa delays could still keep thousands of fans from entering the U.S.
That means fewer passengers on U.S.-based airlines, fewer hotel bookings, fewer meals at restaurants, and less shopping in retail stores.
In 2024, international travelers were projected to spend around $181 billion in the United States, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs across the country.
From airlines and hotels to Uber drivers and street vendors, the U.S. tourism ecosystem thrives on global visitors.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup expected to attract over a million international fans, cities like Philadelphia, Kansas City, and Los Angeles have been preparing for a tourism boom.
FIFA estimates the tournament will pump more than $30.5 billion into the U.S. economy, assuming international fans come in large numbers.
Philadelphia alone expects over 500,000 visitors and $305 million in direct tourism spending.
Kansas City anticipates $650 million. But that outlook is based on the assumption that fans from across the globe, including Ghana, can actually make the trip.
The World Cup isn’t just a football competition. It’s a massive economic engine. Blocking fans from dozens of countries means cutting off a vital fuel source before the engine even starts.
If Ghanaian fans can’t come, the U.S. doesn’t just lose their dollars. It sends a message, one that may discourage travelers from other parts of the world.
Tourism experts warn that a hostile visa policy could tarnish the U.S.’s reputation as a global destination, making even non-restricted travelers think twice.
Adam Sacks, president of Tourism Economics, told Forbes that “stacking up” immigration and visa restrictions is setting international travel back by several years.
Since Trump returned to office, international arrivals to the U.S. are already projected to drop by 8.7% in 2025. Travel from Canada is expected to fall by 20%. From Western Europe, nearly 6%.
While travelers from countries like Ghana only make up a small share of total arrivals, about 0.5%, the cumulative effect of bans on multiple African and Middle Eastern countries could be significant.
For businesses in host cities, this isn’t just a theoretical risk, it’s a real concern.
Airbnb projects that bookings during the World Cup could generate $3.6 billion in economic activity across host cities. But that depends on guests arriving.
Hotels, ride-hailing services, souvenir vendors, restaurants, and stadium workers all stand to lose if fewer fans show up.
And this doesn’t just affect big cities. Many smaller communities near match venues benefit from spillover tourism.
Ghanaian fans, like many international travelers, often visit multiple cities during their stay, spending in areas that might not otherwise see much international foot traffic.
The proposed travel policy includes an exemption for athletes, coaches, and essential staff traveling to the U.S. for major sporting events like the World Cup and Olympics.
But fans are not included in this carve-out. That means the players may show up, but the fans might not. This puts the spirit of the tournament at risk. For many African nations, supporters are as vital as the team.
Ghanaian fans, known for their drumming, dancing, and endless energy, help define the experience. Their absence would be felt, not just emotionally, but financially
The 36 countries identified by the U.S. State Department, including Ghana, have 60 days to meet new requirements or risk full or partial travel bans.
These include producing reliable civil documents, improving identity verification, and reducing visa overstays.
Many are hesitant to book flights or apply for visas without knowing if they’ll even be allowed in. Meanwhile, the clock ticks toward kickoff.
By: Joshua Narh