On Wednesday night, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a travel ban targeting citizens from 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
This move, which Trump described as crucial for protecting the national security interests of the United States, will go into effect on Monday.
Along with the full travel ban, there are partial restrictions affecting nationals from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
The timing of this announcement is particularly significant for soccer, as FIFA gears up for two major tournaments in the United States in the next 13 months: the FIFA Club World Cup starting June 14 and the World Cup in 2026 to be hosted jointly with Canada and Mexico.
Iran is already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, and several countries facing travel restrictions are still in contention for qualification.
Additionally, Haiti is set to compete in the upcoming Gold Cup, further complicating the implications of Trump’s executive order for international sporting events.
The ban raises pressing questions about its impact on national teams traveling to the U.S. for the World Cup.
Fortunately for FIFA, Trump’s travel ban includes an exemption for athletes and team members, including coaches and immediate relatives, traveling for major sporting events like the World Cup and Olympics.
This exemption means that Iran, despite being labeled as a “state sponsor of terrorism,” can send its team and support staff to the 2026 tournament, although players won’t be able to bring family members beyond immediate relatives.
Haiti, meanwhile, is well-positioned to qualify for the World Cup, currently sitting second in its group in Concacaf’s qualification round after winning its first two games.
Similarly, Libya has an outside chance of qualifying, with a format that allows the best runners-up from African groups to enter a playoff.
Should these teams qualify, they will be able to attend the World Cup, but support for their national teams by non-immediate family members may be restricted due to the travel bans.
At the upcoming Concacaf Gold Cup starting June 14, the only team potentially affected is Haiti, which is competing against the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT).
The Gold Cup is not explicitly mentioned in Trump’s executive order, leading to uncertainty about whether Haitian athletes will be granted entry.
However, after clarification from the White House, it has been confirmed that both the Gold Cup and the Club World Cup are recognized as major sporting events, allowing Haitian players to participate.
The executive order cites high overstay percentages on visas from Haitian citizens along with claims of illegal immigration as justifications for the travel restrictions, heightening scrutiny on the impact of these policies.
For supporters wishing to attend these tournaments, the situation appears to be more complicated.
While exemptions exist for athletes and immediate family members, no broader provisions are outlined for general supporters.
Travel for nationals from designated countries will be limited, with restrictions specifically affecting nations like Venezuela and Cuba, which have seen tourist visa access curtailed.
As for Haitian supporters, entry to the U.S. to cheer on their team may be restricted, particularly if they qualify for the World Cup the following summer.
Turning to the FIFA Club World Cup this summer, the 32 competing teams do not include nationals from the countries under full travel bans.
Still, players from affected nations, such as Sudan and Iran, could find themselves facing challenges.
The lack of explicit mention of the Club World Cup in the executive order raises potential concerns, although statements from the White House confirm it as a major sporting event.
If players from banned countries wish to enter the U.S. for the tournament, they may need to apply for exemptions, complicating logistics for teams and FIFA alike.
There have been inquiries about how many ticket holders from nations affected by the travel ban are expected to attend the Club World Cup and what arrangements might be made for them.
In the context of these events, FIFA President Gianni Infantino had previously emphasized the importance of access for all teams, supporters, and officials in World Cup competitions.
Trump had earlier assured that all eligible individuals would be allowed to enter the U.S. without discrimination in a letter to Infantino during the joint bid for hosting the World Cup.
Recent remarks from Infantino indicated high hopes for successful international participation while reminding that America will welcome the world.
However, the broader concern remains whether tightened entry policies will deter international fans, impacting attendance and economic output expected from these prestigious tournaments.
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, officials hope that issues surrounding restrictions do not undermine the potential success of hosting the tournament in the United States, which anticipates generating significant economic benefits from global tourism and attendance.
image source from：https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6404279/2025/06/05/trump-travel-ban-world-cup/
