World Cup 2026: Trump’s Travel Ban Could Block Six More Nations
The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across the USA, Mexico, and Canada, faces a potential hurdle: a proposed travel ban list by Donald Trump. This ban could prevent several nations, including potential qualifiers, from participating in the prestigious tournament.
With the World Cup scheduled for June and July next year, five teams have already secured their spots: the host nations (USA, Mexico, and Canada), along with Japan and New Zealand. Football powerhouses like Brazil, Argentina, England, Italy, Germany, Spain, France, and the Netherlands have commenced their qualifying campaigns, aiming to join them.
However, the dream of World Cup participation may be shattered for some less prominent footballing nations. According to a New York Times report from March 14th, the Trump administration is contemplating barring citizens from as many as 43 countries. This sweeping restriction could drastically impact the 2026 World Cup, potentially preventing qualified teams from competing on American soil.
Iran, remarkably, has already qualified for the World Cup. Despite this achievement, they find themselves listed on a draft of countries potentially facing a travel ban, as highlighted by the NY Times. The proposed restrictions categorize nations into red (full travel ban), orange (sharply restricted visas), and yellow (60 days to address concerns) lists. Iran, along with others, is unfortunately listed under the most severe “red” category.
Adding to the uncertainty, six other nations currently in World Cup qualification contention could be affected. Sudan, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, DR Congo, and Venezuela are all still vying for a place in next summer’s tournament. Disturbingly, each of these nations appears on some tier of the proposed travel ban list. Venezuela, Sudan, and Iran are in the most restrictive “red section,” raising serious concerns about their potential World Cup participation.
Iran could be blocked from playing at the 2026 World Cup (Credit:Getty)
FIFA and US Government Seek Resolution
Discussions are reportedly underway between FIFA and the US government to find a solution. As reported by beIN Sports, these talks aim to explore avenues that would allow teams like Iran to travel to the United States for the World Cup without hindrance, despite the proposed travel restrictions. The specifics of these potential resolutions remain unclear, but the involvement of football’s governing body suggests the gravity of the situation.
Countries Potentially Impacted by the Travel Ban
Here’s a breakdown of the nations that may face travel restrictions based on the proposed list:
Full Visa Bans (Red List):
- Afghanistan
- Bhutan
- Cuba
- Iran
- Libya
- North Korea
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Syria
- Venezuela
Partial Visa Suspensions (Orange List):
- Belarus
- Eritrea (unranked by FIFA, inactive since January 2020)
- Haiti
- Laos
- Myanmar
- Pakistan
- Russia (currently suspended by FIFA)
- Sierra Leone
- South Sudan
- Turkmenistan
Countries Recommended for Partial Suspension – 60-day Review (Yellow List):
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Benin
- Burkina Faso
- Cabo Verde
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Chad
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Dominica
- Equatorial Guinea
- Gambia
- Liberia
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Republic of the Congo
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Vanuatu
- Zimbabwe
The potential travel ban casts a shadow over the 2026 World Cup, raising questions about fairness and inclusivity in global sports. The coming weeks and months will be crucial in determining whether a resolution can be reached and which nations will ultimately be able to compete on the world’s biggest football stage.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops. Will FIFA be successful in navigating these political challenges to ensure a truly global World Cup? Share your thoughts in the comments below!