Beyond the Pitch: How Visa Rules Could Bench Thousands of World Cup Fans

The road to the FIFA World Cup isn't just played on the pitch—it's also waged at embassy windows. For thousands of fans and officials, the most nerve-wracking fixture isn't a group stage clash but the scramble for entry visas. Without the right paperwork, the roar of the crowd could be a silent affair. As the tournament's group stage draws near, national team officials from lower-ranked nations are facing an uphill battle to secure travel documents for their players and staff. The usual buzz of...