Trump’s travel ban casts shadow over the upcoming Fifa Club World Cup and other US-hosted sporting events

Donald Trump has made a controversial announcement regarding a travel ban on people from 12 countries visiting the US, raising concerns about the impact on upcoming sporting events hosted in the US, such as the Fifa Club World Cup, the men’s football World Cup in 2026, and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. The Fifa Club World Cup is set to begin on June 15 at various venues in the US, including stadiums in Miami, Los Angeles, and New York. Teams from around the world are expected to travel to the US for the tournament.

The travel ban is scheduled to go into effect on June 9, just before the start of the major tournament, which features top football clubs. While athletes participating in the events are said to be exempt from the ban, it remains unclear if this exemption will apply to fans. Additional restrictions on entry into the country may add to the anxiety of travelers concerned about being stopped at the US border.

The announcement specified that athletes, team members, coaches, support staff, and immediate relatives traveling for major sporting events like the World Cup and the Olympics will be exempt from the ban. However, there is no list yet of which events will be included in the exemption, or clarity on the interpretation of the term “support role.”

Some teams participating in the Club World Cup have players from countries listed in the travel ban, and Iran, one of the listed countries, has already qualified for the 2026 World Cup. The countries affected by the ban include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Nationals from other countries may also face restrictions.

The relationship between the US and its co-hosts for the 2026 World Cup, Mexico and Canada, is already strained due to geopolitical tensions, rhetoric, and US tariffs. This has led to a decline in Canadian travel to the US and boycotts of US products. The rivalry against US teams is expected to intensify, and foreign fans may express frustration with Trump on US sports figures.

Historically, political tensions have influenced international sporting events. The upcoming football world cups may face challenges amidst the current geopolitical climate.