Impact of Trump's Travel Ban on World Cup Visitors in the Following Year
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On Wednesday, June 4, the infamous President Donald Trump snared the world yet again with a travel ban that'll bar individuals from a dozen countries from setting foot in the US, and impose partial restrictions for seven others. This has sparked discussions regarding the potential impact on major sporting events like the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, set to take place in the States. Let's cut to the chase.
The Nitty-Gritty on the Travel Ban
With national security up in the air, Trump signed a proclamation banning citizens from 12 countries from hopping on a plane for the States. These countries include Afghanistan, Myanmar (buried under military rule since 1962), Chad (the African nation struggling with jihadism), the Republic of Congo (a mishmash of political instability and corruption), Equatorial Guinea (a kleptocracy disguised as a democracy), Eritrea (an autocracy with a daunting military draft), Haiti (struggling with poverty, political chaos, and natural disasters), Iran (the Middle Eastern thorn with its nuclear ambitions), Libya (plunged into chaos since 2011), Somalia (afailed state wracked by violence), Sudan (a volatile nation entangled in political conflict), and Yemen (in a humanitarian catastrophe). Partial restrictions will also affect visitors from seven other countries: Burundi (wracked by ethnic violence and political repression), Cuba (still under communist rule), Laos (a communist one-party state), Sierra Leone (recovering from the aftermath of a brutal civil war), Togo (plagued by corruption and political instability), Turkmenistan (ruled with an iron fist by dictator Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov), and Venezuela (stuck in a brutal political power struggle).
The White House claims these countries possess "high visa overstay rates" and are "deficient with regards to screening and vetting."
The ban includes exemptions for U.S. permanent residents, the spouses and children of U.S. citizens, Afghans who aided American forces, and other such cases with "clear and convincing evidence of identity and family relationship."
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The ban is set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, June 9.
Pressing Play on the World Cup: What's the Score?
Next year, the USA will buddy up with Mexico and Canada for the World Cup, a first for FIFA, soccer's big wig. Forty-eight teams will compete from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
According to the ban's policies, exceptions will be made for athletes and support staff traveling for the World Cup:
"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."
Iran is the only team on the list that's already ticketed for the World Cup.
Cuba, Haiti, and Sudan are still diving headfirst into the qualifier games. Sierra Leone might still be in the game if it wins some playoffs. Burundi, Equatorial Guinea, and Libya are alsothers to qualify, charged with long odds.
However, if Iranian fans fancy supporting their team in person, they're in for a tough time. The ban doesn't mention any wiggle room for fans from these countries.
If FIFA can move the Iranians to Mexico or Canada for their group matches, fans might watch them from there. But if Iran advances to the knockout rounds, more games will be played in the States, potentially leaving fans on the sidelines.
As for the rest of the world's fans, they should be fine, as long as their countries aren't on the banned list.
But the travel ban is just one rock on the tumultuous river of Trump's foreign policies. Since stepping into office on January 20, his administration has set up a landmine course for tourists, with several detentions at the border.
In February, Lennon Tyler of Las Vegas (a US citizen) and her German fiancé landed in hot water at the US-Mexican border when they returned from Tijuana. According to an Associated Press report, US border agents handcuffed Tyler and chained her to a bench, while Sielaff was accused of violating the rules of his 90-day US tourist permit. Sielaff spent 16 days behind bars before being allowed to fly back to Germany.
Becky Burke, a 28-year-old Welsh woman, spent 19 days in an ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) processing center in the state of Washington after she was denied entry into Canada over a "visa mix-up."
The administration's actions have also stirred up trouble for foreign players in the States. In April, four Zambian internationals (ballers from Zambia) who play in the National Women's Soccer League couldn't make it to China for the Yangchuan International Tournament due to fears they could be detained. Four Venezuelan women's players based in the US also missed two home friendlies against Panama due to "immigration issues."
FIFA clearly wants the World Cup to run smoothly, without any international drama. Which is probably why FIFA President Gianni Infantino has made 10 trips to the White House since Christmas. Critics argue Infantino has become too chummy with the president, playing a unique game of political football while doing so.
And there's more to Infantino's White House visits: FIFA's World Cup is its greatest cash cow. FIFA picked the US to co-host its mega-bash with its North American neighbors because of the enormous economic potential. The 1994 World Cup drew a record-breaking 3,568,567 spectators. Since then, none of the seven World Cups have beaten that number. With 48 teams in an expanded tournament, the record is expected to be shattered without breaking a sweat. Every match is expected to sell out, with FIFA banking on a multi-billion-dollar haul from ticket sales. It's a big deal for sponsors and small businesses in the host cities since tourists and spectators mean big bucks.
"FIFA, as you know, is a brand which is globally known and a very strong brand," Infantino told President Trump, according to official White House documents. "The soccer economy in the world is worth around $170 billion a year. Seventy percent of that, Mr. President, is in Europe. So. imagine the potential that there is around the world, only in soccer, if we develop it."
Stay tuned to see how this plays out...
- The 2026 World Cup, hosting by the USA along with Mexico and Canada, is a significant event that may be affected by President Trump's travel ban, as exceptions will be made for athletes and support staff traveling for major sporting events, including FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
- Iran, currently qualified for the 2026 World Cup, may find it challenging for their fans to attend matches in the USA due to the travel restrictions, increasing the possibility of relocating them to Mexico or Canada for their group matches, but potential issues could arise if Iran advances to the knockout rounds, given more games will be played in the USA.
