U.S. Visa Crackdown Hits Senegal Team Ahead of AfroBasket 2025

By: TPA Sports Desk | www.thepointafricanews.com/sports

Senegal’s women’s national basketball team has canceled a planned 10-day training camp in the United States when 12 visas — including five for players and seven for officials — were denied, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko announced on Friday. The team was set to prepare for the Women’s AfroBasket 2025 tournament in Ivory Coast from July 25 to August 3.

Sonko described the move as “unfair and disruptive”, instructing the Ministry of Sports to shift all training to Dakar, where sessions will take place under a “sovereign and conducive setting.” The visa rejections occurred amid Washington’s intensified vetting of travelers, part of President Donald Trump’s broader immigration and national security strategy targeting additional countries.

Although Senegal is not currently on the travel ban list, it is among 36 countries under U.S. review for possible inclusion. According to a recent State Department memo, countries under consideration—including several African nations—have 60 days to meet security and documentation benchmarks or risk partial or full travel restrictions. This broader vetting policy has drawn criticism for its potential impact on diplomatic ties, education, and global engagement.

In response to the training camp cancellation, Senegal’s Basketball Federation confirmed the visa refusals but did not specify reasons provided by the U.S. embassy. Senegal has since thanked partners like China for offering alternative training support.

The incident raises concerns about the unintended consequences of U.S. visa policy on international athletics. It comes as the U.S. gears up to host major global sporting events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics. Stakeholders have called for greater clarity and fairness in visa procedures to avoid undermining global sports collaboration and athlete development.