President Donald Trump frequently expresses enthusiasm for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, which he considers some of the highlights of his upcoming tenure.
Nevertheless, considerable ambiguity remains concerning visa regulations for international travelers intending to attend the two major sporting events in the United States.
Trump’s latest travel ban on citizens from 12 countries added new questions about the impact on the World Cup and the Summer Olympics, which depend on hosts opening their doors to the world.
Let's examine how the travel ban might impact these events.
What does the travel restriction policy entail?
As Sunday transitions into Monday, individuals from 12 nations ought to be prohibited from entering the United States.
The countries listed include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
Stricter regulations will be implemented for travelers coming from an additional seven countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
Trump stated that certain nations possess "inadequate" screening and vetting procedures or have traditionally declined to repatriate their own citizens.
What impact does this have on the World Cup and Olympics?
Iran, a powerhouse in Asian football, stands as the sole targeted nation to secure qualification for the upcoming World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico in approximately one year.
Cuba, Haiti, and Sudan are still in the running. Sierra Leone could remain engaged via several playoff matches. Meanwhile, Burundi, Equatorial Guinea, and Libya have extremely slim chances.
However, everyone has the opportunity to dispatch teams to the World Cup provided they meet the qualification criteria. This exception applies under the new rule to "any athlete or member of an athletic team, such as coaches and individuals fulfilling essential supporting roles, along with immediate family members, who are traveling for events like the World Cup, Olympics, or others designated by the Secretary of State."
Approximately 200 nations might be able to send competitors to the Summer Games, even though some of these countries are subject to recent travel limitations. These same restrictions would presumably affect their participation if they remain unchanged.
What about fans?
The travel restriction does not include any exemptions for supporters from the specified nations who plan to attend the World Cup or Olympics in the United States.
Prior to the travel ban, Iranian fans of the national soccer team who resided in their home country were already facing difficulties obtaining visas for attending the World Cup.
Nevertheless, enthusiasts of national squads typically have different characteristics compared to followers of club teams that travel overseas for matches in international tournaments such as the UEFA Champions League.
For numerous nations, supporters attending the World Cup—where travel plans become costly due to increased flight and accommodation rates—are frequently part of the diaspora, more affluent, and might possess alternative passport choices.
A person attending the World Cup generally spends more money and poses less of a risk from a security standpoint for the host country’s planning purposes.
People who attend the Olympics are typically high-spending customers, although the number of tourists during the Summer Games is considerably lower compared to the World Cup. Moreover, visitors come from only a few of the 19 nations currently being targeted.
In what ways is the U.S. collaborating with FIFA and Olympic authorities?
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has forged strong public connections with Donald Trump since 2018—connections considered overly cozy by certain critics. He argues these relationships are necessary for maintaining seamless operations during tournaments, which are anticipated to generate most of FIFA’s projected $13 billion income between 2023 and 2026.
On May 6, Infantino attended a White House task force meeting where he was seated beside Trump. The gathering also featured notable attendees such as Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. Leading FIFA's representation on this task force is Carlos Cordeiro, an associate of Infantino. Cordeiro, who previously served as a partner at Goldman Sachs, concluded his tenure as the president of the U.S. Soccer Federation amid disputes in 2020 after serving for just over two years.
All visa and security challenges that FIFA encounters—including those for the upcoming 32-team Club World Cup starting next week in Miami—can provide valuable insights for the Los Angeles Olympic organizers as they refine their strategies.
"It was explicitly stated in the directive that the Olympics necessitate special attention, and I genuinely wish to express my gratitude to the federal government for acknowledging this fact," remarked Casey Wasserman, the chairman and president of LA28, during a statement made on Thursday in Los Angeles.
It’s evident that the federal government recognizes this as an atmosphere they will support and accommodate," he stated. "We firmly believe this trend will persist. Up until now, this has been the scenario, and it assuredly will remain so throughout the games.
In March, during an IOC gathering in Greece, Wasserman mentioned that he held two private meetings with Trump. He also pointed out that the State Department maintains a “fully staffed desk” aimed at facilitating quickvisa processing throughout the summer of 2028—primarily focusing on teams instead of spectators.
IOC member Nicole Hoevertsz, who chairs the Coordination Commission for LA28, stated with "utmost assurance" that she expects the U.S. government to collaborate, just as it has done for past Olympic Games.
That is certainly an aspect we will closely examine and ensure is also made foolproof," she stated. "We have great confidence that this will be achieved successfully. I am certain it will be carried out effectively.
FIFA did not promptly reply to requests for comments regarding the latest Trump travel restrictions.
What actions have been taken by other host countries?
In 2018, Russia hosted the FIFA World Cup and allowed spectators to enter the country using match tickets that also served as visas. Similarly, Qatar implemented this system when hosting the event four years later.
However, both administrations conducted background screenings on every visitor attending the extended football championships.
Governments have barred unwanted travelers. During the 2012 London Olympics, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who remains the country’s authoritarian ruler even now, did not receive a visa although he headed their national Olympic committee. Consequently, the IOC revoked his participation rights for the Tokyo Games in 2021.
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