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6d ago

Trump Travel Ban Bars Fans from 12 Nations Including Iran from US-Hosted World Cup

FIFA has not altered the Canada–Mexico–US hosting plans despite human rights groups warning that the ban undermines the tournament’s non-discrimination rules.

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Iranian and United States soccer fans pose for a photo before the World Cup group B soccer match between Iran and the United States at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022.
US President Donald Trump listens to Vice President JD Vance speak during a meeting with the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the East Room of the White house in Washington, DC, on May 6, 2025. The soccer world championship will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and will be hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.
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Overview

  • On June 5, President Trump issued an executive order blocking entry to travellers from 12 countries, including Iran, which has secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
  • The order exempts competing athletes but prevents Iranian supporters from obtaining visas to attend matches on American soil.
  • Human Rights Watch sent a May 5 letter to FIFA warning that US immigration policies threaten the tournament’s inclusive spirit and urging reconsideration of US venues.
  • FIFA President Gianni Infantino has reiterated that all qualified teams and their supporters must have access to host nations, yet no change to the three-country hosting arrangement has been announced.
  • A bipartisan group of 55 lawmakers led by Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove has petitioned Secretary of State Marco Rubio for detailed plans to expedite and secure World Cup visa processing.