President Trump’s revived travel ban carries exceptions for athletes but leaves fans from banned nations in limbo as America prepares to host the world’s biggest sporting events. The policy targets 12 countries while creating special carve-outs for the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics that will take place during his second term.
Travel Ban Impacts Major Sporting Events
President Trump’s newly implemented travel ban will directly impact preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, both major international sporting events scheduled during his second administration. The executive order, signed shortly after his inauguration, restricts entry for citizens from 12 countries deemed to have “deficient” security protocols: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Seven additional countries face heightened security measures though not outright bans.
The White House has specifically built exceptions into the ban for “any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives” who are traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting events. This carve-out acknowledges the global importance of these competitions while maintaining the administration’s focus on national security concerns. Foreign athletes, coaches, and necessary support staff from banned countries will still be permitted to enter the United States to participate in these prestigious events.
The travel ban creates a more complicated situation for sports fans from the affected nations who hope to attend these events. No specific exceptions exist for general spectators from these countries, potentially limiting the global audience these events typically draw. Previous World Cup hosts like Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022 implemented systems where match tickets served as entry visas, coupled with background checks to maintain security while welcoming international fans.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has reportedly cultivated close relationships with Trump during his first term and through the transition period, working to ensure that the 2026 World Cup – co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada – proceeds smoothly. The tournament represents a significant revenue source for FIFA, making diplomatic coordination with host governments crucial for operational success.
Olympics Planning Addresses Visa Concerns
Casey Wasserman, chairman of LA28, the organizing committee for the Los Angeles Olympics, has expressed confidence in the federal government’s understanding of the unique international requirements for hosting the Olympic Games. “It was very clear in the directive that the Olympics require special consideration and I actually want to thank the federal government for recognizing that,” Wasserman said at a recent press conference addressing concerns about the travel restrictions. He added that the committee has “great confidence that that will only continue,” noting ongoing cooperation with federal authorities has been productive.
The State Department has established a dedicated team specifically focused on visa processing for the 2028 Olympics, what Wasserman described as a “fully staffed desk” working on Olympic-related travel arrangements. This specialized approach underscores the government’s commitment to facilitating the Games while maintaining security protocols. International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board member Nicole Hoevertsz has also expressed “every confidence” that the necessary accommodations will be made.
What the Trump travel ban means for the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympic Games https://t.co/qkZFqZcj6s
— Yahoo News (@YahooNews) June 6, 2025
Historical precedent suggests that even during periods of heightened security concerns, international sporting events have found ways to proceed with appropriate accommodations. The Olympic movement in particular has navigated complex political environments throughout its modern history, with host nations sometimes making exceptions to normal visa procedures. During the 2012 London Olympics, one notable exception went in the opposite direction when Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko was denied entry to attend the Games, demonstrating that visa policies can be applied selectively for specific individuals while allowing most participants and spectators.
LA28’s Wasserman emphasized that the organization doesn’t “anticipate any problems from any countries to come and participate” in the Games, highlighting ongoing cooperation with federal authorities. This confidence reflects the early planning and coordination efforts already underway between Olympic organizers and government agencies, even though the event remains nearly four years away.
World Cup Qualification and Potential Impact
Among the countries affected by the travel ban, Iran is currently the only nation to have qualified for previous World Cup tournaments and remains in contention for the 2026 competition. Several other nations on the restricted list, including Haiti and Sudan, are still in the qualification process but face significant challenges in advancing to the final tournament. The expanded 48-team format for the 2026 World Cup potentially opens more opportunities for teams from diverse regions to qualify.
FIFA and World Cup organizers face the practical challenge of accommodating teams from banned countries while addressing the more complex issue of fan attendance. Unlike the Olympics, which primarily focuses on athlete participation, the World Cup business model relies heavily on international fan attendance and tourism. Previous tournaments have drawn millions of international visitors, with host countries typically adjusting entry requirements to facilitate this massive influx of sports tourists.
“We have great confidence that that will only continue. It has been the case to date and it will certainly be the case going forward through the games,” said Casey Wasserman, expressing his belief that the federal government understands the Olympic environment requires special accommodation.
The Trump administration’s approach to international sporting events reflects a balancing act between national security priorities and America’s commitments as a host nation for global competitions. Security experts note that previous major sporting events have successfully implemented enhanced vetting procedures without imposing blanket restrictions. The exceptions built into the current travel ban demonstrate recognition of sports diplomacy’s importance even amid stricter immigration policies.
For the affected countries, participation in these events carries significant national pride and diplomatic importance beyond mere athletic competition. Iranian athletes, for example, have participated in multiple Olympic Games despite decades of diplomatic tensions with the United States. Their continued inclusion represents the principle that international sports should transcend political differences.
Economic and Diplomatic Considerations
The economic implications of these visa policies extend beyond the sporting events themselves. Host cities like Los Angeles anticipate substantial tourism revenue from the Olympics, with international visitors contributing significantly to local economies. Restricting fan travel from certain regions could potentially impact projected revenue streams, though the effect would likely be limited given the relatively small population of the banned countries compared to the global Olympic audience.
American businesses with interests in the hospitality and tourism sectors are closely monitoring how the travel restrictions might affect attendance projections for these major events. The World Cup in particular, spread across multiple U.S. cities, depends on free movement of international visitors between venues. Industry stakeholders have expressed hope that special provisions might be implemented closer to the events to facilitate broader attendance while maintaining security standards.
Trump’s latest travel ban added new questions about the impact on the World Cup and the Summer Olympics, which depend on hosts opening their doors to the world. https://t.co/lJ9F09YoJd
— WUSA9 (@wusa9) June 6, 2025
The State Department’s handling of these sporting events could serve as a test case for America’s ability to balance security concerns with international obligations during Trump’s second term. Sports diplomacy has historically provided channels for engagement even between countries with strained political relationships. The exceptions already built into the travel ban for athletes and teams demonstrate recognition of this diplomatic reality.
For American conservatives concerned about both national security and America’s position on the world stage, the travel ban with sports exceptions represents a nuanced approach. It maintains the administration’s focus on stricter vetting from countries deemed security risks while acknowledging America’s responsibilities as host of premier global events. The ban’s implementation in the context of these sporting events will likely evolve as the competitions draw closer, with potential adjustments based on security assessments and diplomatic considerations.
Sources:
https://news.yahoo.com/trump-travel-ban-means-2026-151757850.html
https://www.koco.com/article/trump-travel-ban-world-cup-olympics/64982180