The United States has denied visa applications for several players on Senegal’s women’s national basketball team, forcing the cancellation of their planned training camp ahead of the Afrobasket 2025 tournament in Ivory Coast.
Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, on Thursday, June 19, ordered the cancellation of the 10-day U.S. camp after learning that key team members had been denied entry. In a strongly worded statement, Sonko condemned the U.S. government’s decision and directed the Minister of Sports to scrap the training plans entirely.
The visa denials, which affect only players applying for the first time, come amid tightened immigration policies under President Donald Trump’s administration. According to reports, Senegal is among 36 countries being considered for inclusion in a potential U.S. travel ban.
Babacar Ndiaye, president of the Senegalese Basketball Federation, confirmed that only players with existing U.S. visas had them renewed, while all new applicants were rejected.
In his statement, Prime Minister Sonko also expressed appreciation to China for stepping in to support Senegalese athletes with training scholarships, praising Beijing’s continued investment in sports development.
The cancellation has sparked diplomatic and sporting tension, particularly as the U.S. prepares to co-host major global events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.