Trump's Travel Ban Will the World Cup Be Kicked Off the Field?

Trump's Travel Ban: A Major Headache for FIFA's US Tournaments?

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump signed a sweeping new travel ban affecting citizens from 12 countries: Afghanistan, Myanmar (Burma), Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. This ban, effective Monday, restricts the entry of both immigrants and non-immigrants. Additionally, partial restrictions were imposed on nationals from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. The stated aim is to protect "the national security and national interest of the United States and its people."

For the world of soccer, this news carries significant weight. FIFA is hosting two major tournaments in the United States over the next 13 months: the FIFA Club World Cup (starting June 14th) and the 2026 World Cup (co-hosted with Canada and Mexico). This raises immediate concerns about potential disruptions, given that several countries affected by the ban are either qualified for or vying to qualify for these events.

What Does This Mean for the 2026 World Cup?

The executive order includes an exemption for "any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives, traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting event as determined by the Secretary of State."

This seemingly ensures that teams like Iran – already qualified for the 2026 World Cup – can participate. However, it's crucial to note that the exemption doesn't extend to all Iranian nationals; only "immediate relatives" of players and staff will be allowed to accompany them. The order labels Iran a “state sponsor of terrorism,” citing a lack of cooperation on security risks.

Beyond Iran, other nations face uncertainty. Haiti, currently well-positioned to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, is under a full travel ban. Similarly, Libya has a slim chance of qualifying. Even with qualification, both nations face restrictions on supporters traveling to the US, unlike the situation for athletes and immediate family members.

Other countries with partial or full travel bans and potential World Cup implications include Venezuela (currently in the intercontinental playoff position) and Cuba (third in its Concacaf group). Sierra Leone also remains in contention in African qualifying.

Impact on the 2024 Concacaf Gold Cup

The Concacaf Gold Cup, running from June 14th to July 6th, is primarily held in the US. The travel ban directly affects Haiti, a competitor in the group stage against the USMNT. While the executive order mentions exemptions for "major sporting events," the Gold Cup's inclusion wasn't explicitly stated. However, the White House subsequently confirmed both the Gold Cup and the Club World Cup are considered major sporting events, meaning participants should be exempt from the ban.

The executive order highlighted concerns about high visa overstay percentages by Haitian citizens and the large influx of Haitian migrants during the Biden administration, citing potential national security risks.

Supporters and the Travel Ban

While athletes and their immediate families appear to be covered, the same cannot be said for supporters wishing to attend these matches. The executive order includes exemptions for government officials, NATO personnel, lawful permanent residents, dual citizens, and those granted immigrant visas due to persecution in their home countries. However, the prospects of broader exemptions for supporters from affected countries remain uncertain, which will likely affect attendance, especially for countries like Haiti and Venezuela.

The FIFA Club World Cup: Potential Snags

None of the 32 teams competing in the revamped Club World Cup originate from the countries affected by the travel ban. However, several players from affected nations, such as Sudanese player Mohamed Awadalla and Iranian forward Mehdi Taremi, might require exemptions. Similarly, Venezuelan players like Salomón Rondón, despite the P-1 visa option for athletes, might still face complications because of the blocked B1 and B2 visas.

FIFA previously stated that supporters from over 130 countries had already purchased tickets for the Club World Cup. It remains to be seen how many of those supporters are from the affected countries and what accommodations will be made to ensure their participation or process refunds.

FIFA, the White House, and Past Statements

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has previously stated that access to the host country for all qualified teams, their supporters, and officials is crucial for a successful World Cup. Trump, in a letter to Infantino in 2018, expressed confidence that all eligible participants would be able to enter the US without discrimination. Despite more recent statements by Infantino and Vice President Vance expressing a welcoming attitude towards attendees, the recent travel ban introduces significant uncertainty and potential complications.

Conclusion

President Trump's travel ban presents a significant challenge for FIFA and the upcoming tournaments in the US. While exemptions exist for athletes and their immediate relatives, the situation remains unclear for supporters and some players. The potential impact on attendance, economic projections, and the overall experience of these events is a matter that requires continued monitoring and swift clarification from both FIFA and the US government.

Tags: US travel ban, Trump travel ban, Immigration ban, FIFA World Cup, Soccer impact, National security, Travel restrictions, Iran travel ban, Visa restrictions, Global impact, Concacaf Gold Cup, FIFA Club World Cup

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6404279/2025/06/05/trump-travel-ban-world-cup/