Published: July 15, 2026
MONROVIA — The United States has denied visas to most members of Liberia’s national team delegation, throwing the Lone Star’s scheduled international friendly against Minnesota United II into doubt.
The match is set for July 26 at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota, as part of celebrations marking Liberia’s 179th Independence Day.
According to the Liberia Football Association (LFA), it initially submitted a delegation of 25 people before the US Embassy reduced the list to 10.
Seven members of the delegation appeared for visa interviews at the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia on Tuesday. Six were denied visas, while LFA First Vice President Sekou Konneh was the only applicant confirmed to have received a visa, valid for one month.
Three players named on the travel list — Emmanuel Flomo of Sudanese club Al Hilal, Edward Ledlum, who plays in Algeria, and Sebastian Teclar, based in South Sudan — did not attend the interviews because they remained with their clubs.
The LFA confirmed the visa denials but has not disclosed whether it will seek reconsideration or submit a revised delegation.
Sources familiar with the matter told The Liberian Investigator that the applications were reportedly refused because applicants failed to sufficiently demonstrate their intent to return to Liberia after the trip. The U.S. Embassy has not publicly commented on the visa decisions, and the newspaper could not independently verify the reasons for the refusals.
The visa outcome comes against the backdrop of previous incidents involving Liberian football delegations abroad.
In 2025, former LFA Executive Committee member Nyumah Nyanway reportedly remained in the United States after traveling for an international football event. He later resigned from the LFA Executive Committee and was subsequently replaced by Hilary Sackie, who later won the position in an election.
Earlier, in June 2022, two officials with Liberia’s Under-17 national team — team medic Anthony Roberts and equipment manager Alex Nelson — disappeared in Austria following the team’s friendly victory over First Vienna FC.
The July 26 match is being organized by Strengthening African Resilience Toward Excellence (SARX), a Brooklyn Park-based nonprofit organization, in partnership with Minnesota United. The event was intended to celebrate Liberia’s Independence Day and the longstanding ties between Minnesota’s large Liberian community and their home country.
Earlier this month, SARX co-founder and operations manager Frances Tyler described the fixture as more than a football match.
“This is more than a soccer game. It’s a celebration of culture. Sports is a way to bring the community together and celebrate the connection between Minnesota and the Liberian community,” Tyler said.
She added that Liberia’s Independence Day is “a big deal to Liberians here and around the world,” expressing optimism that the event would be a major celebration.
The visa denials have now cast uncertainty over the fixture despite extensive promotion within the Liberian diaspora in the United States.
A Liberian football follower in the United States, who requested anonymity because he is not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, said organizers are exploring contingency plans, including assembling a team from Liberian players and coaches based in the United States.
“The organizers will work with the FA to ensure the game is played,” the source said. “There are several Liberian players and coaches here in the U.S. who can represent the country.”
However, The Liberian Investigator has learned that the LFA is considering formally canceling the friendly if the visa situation is not resolved.
The case also comes amid heightened scrutiny of U.S. immigration procedures. Applicants for B-1/B-2 visitor visas must demonstrate strong economic, professional or family ties to their home country to overcome the legal presumption that they intend to immigrate.
In June, Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States because of undisclosed vetting concerns, preventing him from becoming the first Somali official selected to referee at a FIFA World Cup.
For now, Liberia’s Independence Day friendly remains in limbo as the LFA awaits any possible resolution to the visa impasse.
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