Thousands of African migrants who entered Russia on temporary visas during the 2018 World Cup now face deportation after overstaying, as the interior ministry intensifies enforcement efforts ahead of a March 2019 deadline.
Among them is Lamin, a 23-year-old Gambian who arrived on a "Fan ID" visa intended for spectators. He shared a Moscow apartment with nine others, including a Congolese woman and her infant daughter, after being misled about opportunities in Russia. "I was confused, I had no place to stay," he said, describing his initial struggles.
While most visitors left after the tournament, some sought to remain, hoping for work or asylum. However, Russia granted refugee status to only 33 people in 2017, according to official data. By late 2018, 12,000 individuals were reported as overstaying, though authorities claimed this number had been reduced to 5,500 through raids.
Others faced exploitation. Victoria, a Nigerian woman, was trafficked into prostitution after arriving on a World Cup ticket. She escaped with help from an anti-trafficking NGO, which secured her temporary residency. "I want to stay in Russia to earn money for a business back home," she said.
Humanitarian groups warn that many migrants remain trapped, unable to return home or move forward. "They don't want to go back, they can't go forward," said a worker with an aid organization, highlighting the lack of legal pathways for those stranded.
