President Donald Trump's Wednesday announcement restricted travel to the U.S. for people from more than a dozen countries, which would not apply to athletes at the 2026 World Cup or 2028 Olympics who compete in football, but could affect fans, friends and large families of athletes who wish to come to the U.S. to compete in popular sports events.
Trump's travel ban will take effect on Monday, which applies to citizens of Iran, whose national football teams are already eligible for the upcoming World Cup, which will be held next summer in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
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However, Section 4, Section (b), Declaration (IV) of Section 4 grants “any athlete or member of the sports team) “any athlete or member of the sports team) “including coaches, persons who play the necessary supporting role and direct relatives, travel to the World Cup, Olympic Games or other major sports event, which is determined by the State Secretary.”
Sports immigration experts told Yahoo Sports that the large unknown is the State Council’s broad definition of “main sports events,” “necessary support roles” and “direct relatives.”
Experts expect football’s 2025 Club World Cup – no team from one of the 12 countries, but will feature some players from those countries) to become “major sporting events”, especially given the strong relationship between the Trump administration and the global rational body of the football federation and the organizer of the tournament.
It is not clear that the 2025 Golden Cup will be eligible for the regional championships that began in the United States on the same day (June 14). If that is not the case, the Haitian national team (the other of 12 countries on Trump's roster) will be affected. It plans to face the United States, Saudi Arabia, Trinidad and Tobago in Group D.
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A spokesperson for the State Department, FIFA and CONCACAF - North America, Central America and the Caribbean Football Federation are in charge of the Golden Cup - either did not answer questions immediately or could not confirm whether their incidents were exempted.
Experts noted that the wording of the declaration gives the State Council extensive discretion to exempt certain events, but applies the ban to other events based on many criteria or factors.
Some athletes who wish to travel in the United States participate in small events, especially professional competitions or competitions - may be affected.
Experts say fans will almost certainly be affected. FIFA and its President Gianni Infantino repeatedly claimed: "The United States will welcome the world - everyone who wants to come here to enjoy (the World Cup), have fun, celebrate the game, will be able to do that." But there is no indication that fans will receive special treatment from consular officials responsible for issuing visitor visas. With the ban, thousands of Iranian fans can be denied access to the game and prevent them from following their teams during the game.
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The other 11 countries on the banned list - Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Libya, Somalia, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen - were either phased out, either out, or failed, or qualified, even though Sudan is competitive. But people in these countries may still be interested in participating in the competition.
Of the seven countries subject to partial travel restrictions, in Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela - only Venezuela is eligible.
Many, if not all, will send athletes to the 2028 Olympics, which will be held in and around Los Angeles.
It is unclear to what extent their support staff and extended family members may be affected by the ban - of course, this could be challenged or changed between now and 2026 or 2028.