Trump has issued a ban on travel to the United States from 12 countries.
Donald Trump has issued a proclamation prohibiting nationals of 12 nations, including Iran, from entering the United States; but, their football team will be permitted to compete in next summer’s World Cup after exemptions were granted.
Citizens of 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, will be barred from entering the United States beginning June 9.
Another seven countries—Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela—will face a partial prohibition.
It was also revealed that an executive order provides 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.”
According to the aforementioned statement, Iran and other prohibited teams who qualify for the 2026 World Cup will be able to send a team and support staff to the event, but fans, friends, and extended family of those participating may be affected.
Which countries with travel prohibitions will compete in the 2026 World Cup?
Iran has already qualified for the event, while other countries facing full travel bans are in the running to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, including Haiti, which has won its first two games in the second round of Concacaf’s qualification process.
Libya, who are now third in a group of six after six matches, may also qualify for the tournament, with Haiti.
In terms of nations with partial travel prohibitions, Cuba is third in its five-team Concacaf group, while Venezuela is seventh in the South America qualification standings, putting them in an intercontinental playoff. Sierra Leone is also ranked third in its CAF qualification group.
Meanwhile, Trump has guaranteed a “seamless experience” for World Cup supporters who visit the United States next year.
“We can’t wait to welcome soccer fans from all over the world,” he said during a White House conference with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
“Every part of the US government will be working to ensure that these events are safe and successful, and those traveling to America to watch the competition have a seamless experience during every part of their visit.”
JD Vance, vice-chair of the World Cup task team, added: “I know we’ll get visitors, most likely from around 100 countries. We want them to come. We want them to celebrate. We want them to watch the game. But when the term is done, they will have to return home.”
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