The U.S. Embassy in Ghana has issued a strong warning to Ghanaians planning to travel to the United States for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, cautioning them against overstaying their visas after the tournament.
Elliot Fertik said U.S. authorities are concerned that some travellers may attempt to use the global football event as an opportunity to remain in America illegally after the competition ends.
Speaking on World Cup Central on Channel One TV on Friday, Mr. Fertik stressed that overstaying a visa is a violation of U.S. immigration laws and could carry serious long-term consequences.
He warned that such actions do not only affect individuals involved but could also create challenges for other Ghanaians seeking legitimate travel opportunities in the future.
According to him, U.S. immigration officials monitor visa overstay rates based on nationality, and rising violations from a particular country could make future visa approvals more difficult.
“There are some people who think they can use this as an opportunity to overstay or just to illegally stay in the United States. That is really unfortunate because they are not only breaking the law but also making it harder for other Ghanaians,” he said.
Mr. Fertik urged travellers to respect the terms of their visas and return home after the tournament, emphasizing that illegal immigration is not worth the risk.
The warning comes as excitement builds ahead of the expanded 48-team World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
