Koulibaly criticises US travel curbs that kept Senegal fans away

Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly has criticised US travel restrictions that prevented many of his country's supporters from attending the team's opening World Cup match, saying he did not understand why African fans were being kept away.

Senegal played their opener against France in front of a crowd dominated by French supporters, after large numbers of Senegalese fans were reportedly unable to travel to the United States. "Every team can have their people, so I don't understand why people from Africa cannot have their people," Koulibaly said.

The comments related to partial US entry restrictions affecting nationals of several countries, including Senegal, Ivory Coast, Iran and Haiti, which authorities have linked to concerns over visa overstays. The measures stem from a presidential proclamation.

Official World Cup participants were covered by exemptions for athletes and tournament personnel, and federations worked to help players' close family members attend. But ordinary supporters faced the brunt of the restrictions.

The issue has cast a shadow over the experience of some visiting nations at a tournament being staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico, raising questions about access for fans of teams from affected countries.