Overview
- A Jan. 15 cable instructed embassies to admit athletes, coaches and essential support staff for the World Cup, the Olympics and other designated major events.
- Covered competitions include Olympic, Paralympic, Pan‑American and Special Olympics events, FIFA tournaments and official events tied to U.S. pro leagues such as the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, NASCAR, Formula 1, PGA and others.
- The guidance said foreign spectators, international media and corporate sponsors generally remain ineligible unless they qualify for another exemption.
- The list of qualifying events remains open to additions at the secretary of state's discretion under authority from President Trump's Dec. 16 proclamation.
- The bans apply to citizens of 39 countries and the Palestinian Authority, with full blocks on nations including Iran, Syria, Somalia, Yemen, Haiti and Libya, while a separate report of immigrant‑visa delays for 75 countries lacks official confirmation.