No respite for World Cup fans affected by Trump travel restrictions - ESPN

ESPN

by T.J. Quinn

February 19, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The Trump administration's travel restrictions are causing significant pain for fans of Haiti and Senegal who wanted to cheer on their national teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the U.S. Despite these countries qualifying for the tournament, which is a rare achievement for Haiti after a 48-year absence, their citizens face almost complete travel bans under current policies. This includes fans from Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Iran, who are being denied the chance to attend the event due to national security concerns cited by the administration. The restrictions stem from Trump's Presidential Proclamation 10998, which expanded visa bans to 39 countries, including Haiti, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Iran. While players, officials, and their immediate family members from these nations are granted visas under limited exceptions, fans face significant hurdles. The State Department has emphasized that visas are a privilege, not a right, and its priority is to protect U.S. national security. Efforts to challenge the ban have been made, particularly by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a soccer enthusiast who met with Trump in November to advocate for a travel exception. Mamdani has highlighted the cultural significance of the World Cup for immigrant communities and expressed hope that the event could serve as an opportunity to showcase diversity and inclusion. The situation underscores the intersection of sports and politics, where visa policies can impact not just athletes but entire communities. For fans in the U.S., particularly those from Haitian and Senegalese diasporas, the inability to attend the World Cup represents more than a missed opportunity to celebrate their national teams—it reflects broader struggles with representation and access. The issue also highlights the growing divide between sports as a unifying force and restrictive immigration policies that limit global participation. For sports fans, this raises questions about how such policies affect the fan experience and whether international events like the World Cup can truly represent their intended

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Originally published on ESPN on 2/19/2026