Donald Trump has signed a proclamation banning the nationals of 12 countries from entering the United States, including Iran, but their football team will be allowed to compete in next summer's World Cup after exemptions were made.
From 9 June onwards, citizens from 12 countries – Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen – will be banned from travelling to the US.
Those from another seven countries – Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela – will be subject to a partial ban.
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It was also revealed that an executive order contains 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.”
Based on the above statement, Iran – and other teams from the banned list who qualify for the 2026 World Cup – will be able to send a team and support staff to the tournament, but it appears fans, friends and extended family of those taking part could be impacted.
Which nations with travel bans will take part in the 2026 World Cup?
Iran has already qualified for the tournament, while several countries facing full travel bans are in contention to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, including Haiti, who have won its first two games in the second round of Concacaf’s qualification process.
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Libya, who are currently third in a group of six after six matches, could also qualify for the tournament alongside Haiti.
In terms of nations with partial travel bans, Cuba are placed third in its five-team Concacaf group, while Venezuela are seventh in the South America qualification table, which would enter them into an intercontinental playoff. Sierra Leone is also third in group play in the CAF qualification phase.
Trump, meanwhile, has promised a "seamless experience" for fans visiting the US during next year's World Cup.
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"We can't wait to welcome soccer fans from all over the globe," he said at a White House briefing alongside 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, the vice-chair of the World Cup task force, added: "I know we'll have visitors, probably from close to 100 countries. We want them to come. We want them to celebrate. We want them to watch the game. But when the time is up, they'll have to go home."
Topics: FIFA World Cup, Donald Trump, United States, Football World Cup
Jack Kenmare