U.S. President Donald Trump has frequently expressed excitement about hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in his second term. However, uncertainty surrounds visa policies for foreign visitors attending these global events.
New Travel Ban Raises Questions
Trump’s recent travel ban targeting citizens from 12 countries has sparked concerns about its impact on both the World Cup and the Olympics—events that rely on international participation and attendance.
Impact on Teams from Affected Countries
Iran, a major footballing nation in Asia, has already qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Countries like Cuba, Haiti, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Burundi, Equatorial Guinea, and Libya remain in contention.
Fortunately, the policy includes exemptions for athletes, coaches, essential staff, and their immediate families traveling for major sporting events such as the World Cup and Olympics.
Olympics Participation Should Remain Unaffected
Roughly 200 countries are expected to participate in the 2028 Olympics. Athletes from the targeted nations should also qualify for exemptions under the current rules if the ban remains in place.
No Clear Exceptions for Fans
While athletes may be exempt, the ban doesn’t extend similar exceptions to fans from the affected countries. Even before the ban, fans—like those in Iran—faced visa challenges when planning World Cup trips.
Fan Demographics Could Influence Access
World Cup and Olympic fans usually belong to wealthier demographics, including diaspora communities, and often hold passports from other countries. This may help many sidestep visa barriers. Such visitors are typically seen as lower security risks and higher spenders.
Olympic vs. World Cup Tourism
Olympic tourism is generally lower than that of the World Cup and tends to attract more upscale visitors. Nonetheless, attendance from the 19 targeted nations is expected to be limited.
FIFA’s Ties with Trump and Government Oversight
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has maintained a close relationship with Trump since 2018, prioritizing the smooth execution of the 2026 World Cup—a key revenue generator for FIFA, projected to bring in \$13 billion between 2023 and 2026.
Despite political ties, governments maintain the authority to screen and deny visas. Notably, in 2012, the UK denied a visa to Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko for the London Olympics, despite his position as the country’s Olympic chief.
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