The White House announced that the new travel ban implemented by the Trump administration will not impact players and coach staff arriving in the US for the FIFA Club World Cup and the Concacaf Gold Cup this summer, as these tournaments are exempt from the restrictions.
On Wednesday, President Trump signed a declaration that partially restricts travel for individuals from 19 countries, though specific exceptions are made. The nations facing a complete travel ban include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Notably, Haiti’s national team will compete in the Gold Cup, where they’ll play against the US men’s team on June 22. Additionally, Inter, a finalist in the UEFA Champions League, will participate in the Club World Cup with Iranian player Mehdi Taremi on their roster.
The declaration also highlights exemptions for athletes and officials for major sports events in the US, including the upcoming World Cup and Olympics, set to take place in 2026 and 2028 respectively. According to the policy, other significant sporting events, as identified by the Secretary of State, like the Club World Cup and the Gold Cup, fall under these exemptions.
Which countries are affected by the travel ban?
Travel restrictions will apply fully to 12 nations: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Additionally, seven other countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela will experience partial restrictions. The declaration specifies that it differentiates between the entry of immigrants and non-immigrants.
These new travel policies will begin on Monday but are not expected to impact those with pre-existing visas or green card holders.
Which exemptions apply to soccer players?
The ban lists several exceptions, including athletes and team members traveling to the US for important sporting events. Both the World Cup and the Olympics are mentioned specifically, along with confirmations from a White House spokesperson that both the Club World Cup and Gold Cup will also benefit from exemptions.
Haiti’s men’s national team will be in the Gold Cup this summer, and various Club World Cup players come from the affected nations. For instance, Josna Lurend from Al Ain hails from the Republic of Congo.
Several players associated with the Club World Cup are tied to countries under a partial travel ban, including Togo’s Kojofophodorava and Roger Ahoru, who play for Al Ain and Esperanza de Tunis, respectively, along with Venezuela’s Mattias Labica and Salomon London.
Will soccer be affected by travel bans?
Although player and staff exemptions exist, the travel ban could still pose challenges for fans wishing to attend events in the US.
Furthermore, there’s uncertainty regarding which upcoming competitions will qualify for the exemption. The US typically hosts friendly matches in the summer featuring visiting teams and annually sees Major League Soccer (MLS) teams face off against their Liga MX counterparts.
Even prior to this declaration, some players were advised against leaving the US due to travel restrictions during Trump’s administration. For instance, four NWSL players from Zambia withdrew from a game in China back in April, citing governmental travel concerns. Similarly, fellow NWSL player Deyna Castellanos did not represent Venezuela due to uncertainties surrounding US travel policies.
Fan Take: This news is crucial for soccer enthusiasts not just because it keeps major tournaments on track, but also highlights ongoing travel complexities that could affect fan attendance and participation. As the sport continues to grow in the US, navigating these restrictions will be vital for both players and supporters alike.
