World Cup visitors face US immigration barriers

Discrimination before the games

While European tourists marvel at ranch dressing, Buc-ee’s, and other Middle American wonders, many World Cup attendees from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East have experienced a different American pastime: exclusion. President Donald Trump’s openly racist immigration policies have prevented scores of people from traveling to the United States for the event — even, in some cases, the players themselves.

Swiss forward Breel Embolo was not allowed to board the team’s flight due to a 2018 criminal conviction and had to apply for an emergency visa. The Iranian team moved its training base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, after the State Department denied visas to several players. Customs and Border Protection agents detained Iraqi striker Aymen Hussein at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, where he was questioned for seven hours and had his phone searched. The team’s photographer was also detained and denied entry.

Referees and fans turned away

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry despite having a valid visa, citing “vetting concerns.” He would have been the first Somali referee in World Cup history. A Scottish visitor had his travel authorization revoked an hour before his flight.

The Trump administration has justified these actions, emphasizing that traveling to the United States is a privilege, not a right, and suggesting that some athletes are threats despite being world-class footballers.

Promises vs. reality

Jules Boykoff, author of "Red Card: The 2026 World Cup," notes that the Trump administration’s stance is an unusual break from World Cup practice. The 2017 joint bid by Mexico, the US, and Canada promised smooth travel, but even FIFA president Gianni Infantino had to acknowledge the process wouldn’t be smooth.

In December, the Trump administration imposed stringent travel restrictions on nationals of 39 countries. Some — including Haiti and Iran — have had visas banned entirely. The ACLU issued a travel advisory in April, warning about deteriorating human rights conditions. A federal judge temporarily blocked the ban in June, but by then it was too late for most fans.

Community tension and preparation

Days before the World Cup, Iran’s federation had fan tickets revoked for its three US games, preventing thousands from attending matches in Los Angeles and Seattle. Iranian player Mehdi Torabi received a single-entry visa, meaning he couldn’t return after leaving. The administration later eased restrictions, allowing players to enter two days before their match.

Even fans from countries not on the travel ban list struggled. Abu Kass, head of the Jordanian fan association, brought over 42 documents to his visa appointment but was denied. He knew only one Jordanian fan who received a visa. Dozens of Moroccan fans, including supporter association members, were reportedly denied visas despite having tickets.

Reaction and preparations

Infantino responded by telling everyone to calm down, emphasizing that FIFA cannot control countries’ border policies. However, the Department of Homeland Security has doubled down. Border czar Tom Homan suggested ICE may be deployed to World Cup host cities.

In Houston, volunteers from Organized Power in Numbers (OPIN) handed out “red cards” informing people of their rights when interacting with ICE. “We know that ICE and DHS will be here to act as overflow police, but that’s not to say that they won’t be doing other things,” said organizer Mauricio Escobar.

Hosting the biggest event for the most popular global sport is supposed to boost national pride, but Trump’s immigration stance has only grown more aggressive. The World Cup’s purpose is to bring people of all nationalities together, but for the US president, the message seems to be that even at a celebratory global event, some people don’t belong.