Countries could be blocked from playing at the 2026 World Cup after being listed on Donald Trump’s travel ban list.
There are 43 countries that have been proposed on the United States’ travel ban list.
One country could be blocked from playing at the 2026 World Cup in the United States after being included on President Donald Trump’s travel ban list. Trump became the 47th president of the United States in January after defeating Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the presidential election in November. – It is difficult to see how the World Cup can actually be carried out, when no one can or wants to travel to the country.
Read: Frenkie de Jong has thought long enough – starting negotiations
The worst president of all time will, through his policies, make it impossible to hold a World Cup on American soil. We want to see players like Liverpool star Mohamed Salah play in a World Cup final. Nor does anyone want to leave billions of dollars in a country that is trying to crush every other country’s economy and life. How will it be possible for Denmark to play football in the United States at the same time as American forces have just conquered Greenland.
The 78-year-old has focused mainly on immigration, and he suspended all undocumented immigrants’ entry into the United States in what was one of his first acts as president in January.
Trump’s administration has now proposed a list of 43 countries for the US travel ban, according to the New York Times.
The outlet reports that a “memo circulating in the [Trump] administration” lists the 43 countries, which are mostly based in Africa.
They are placed in three categories, it is claimed – complete visa bans, partial or strict visa suspensions, and recommendations from certain countries for travel bans if they do not address concerns within 60 days.
The vast majority of the list of visa bans, in football terms, are either eliminated from the World Cup qualifiers or have no realistic hope of reaching the tournament in almost 18 months.
For example, the likes of Afghanistan and North Korea have already been eliminated from the Asia World Cup qualifiers.
But in particular, Iran is included on the list – having already qualified for the World Cup.
They reached the 2022 edition under Carlos Queiroz, and were beaten 5-1 by England in the group stage before producing a famous 2-0 win over Wales. They would eventually miss out on qualifying for the round of 16 – ironically in this particular case – after losing 1-0 to the United States.
On Tuesday, they became the sixth team to qualify for the World Cup after a 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan.
The NY Times claims that a draft list of recommendations “developed by diplomatic and security officials” suggests a “red list” of 11 countries — including Iran — whose citizens would be “flatly barred” from entering the states.
However, it is added, according to an unnamed source, that the list is likely to be changed before it reaches the White House and is then approved.
Most of Iran’s teams play home football in their home country, but several stars, including Sardar Azmoun and Mehdi Taremi, have played abroad for a number of years.
And midfielder Saman Ghoddos – formerly of Brentford – was born in Sweden and has spent much of his life there, but represents Iran internationally through both parents.
The travel ban list may also affect potential eligible countries that are on the “partial ban” list, including Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Burkina Faso.
Read on Sporten: Ralf Rangnick close to top job after being proven right about Manchester United
Venezuela, meanwhile, is the only South American country with a full visa ban.
Here is the full list of 43 countries that have been proposed a US travel ban by the Trump administration, according to the Daily Mail (countries in bold have previously played in a men’s World Cup):
Complete visa ban
Afghanistan Bhutan
Cuba
Iran
Libya
North Korea
Somalia
Sudan
Syria
Venezuela
Yemen
Partial Visa Suspension
Belarus
Eritrea (not rated by FIFA, has not played a game since January 2020)
Haiti
Laos
Myanmar
Pakistan
Russia (currently suspended by FIFA)
Sierra Leone
South Sudan
Turkmenistan
Countries recommended for partial suspension (countries have 60 days to resolve concerns)
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Benin
Burkina Faso
Cabo Verde
Cambodia Cameroon
Chad
Democratic Republic of Congo
Dominica
Equatorial Guinea
Gambia
Liberia
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
Republic of Congo
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Sao Tome and Principe
Vanuatu
Zimbabwe
What can FIFA do next?
It is worth noting that the 2026 World Cup will not only be held in the United States, with Mexico and Canada also set to host several matches.
A resolution could therefore be found that would allow travel-affected nations, such as Iran, to play group stage matches and beyond in those host countries, although there is no indication as to whether such a decision will be on the cards.
A decision made at the recent 2025 Champions Trophy cricket tournament – though in very different circumstances – could give an indication of what FIFA can do.
India refused to play 2025 Champions Trophy cricket matches in the host nation Pakistan due to political tensions between the two countries.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) then allowed them to play their matches in Dubai. India reached the final, where they defeated New Zealand in the final to win the Champions Trophy for the first time.
The only right thing to do is to cut out the USA and let the entire championship go in Canada and Mexico.
