How Travel Restrictions Could Complicate the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics

President Trump’s new travel ban raises questions for the 2026 World Cup and 2028 LA Olympics, though athletes from affected countries will still be allowed to participate. The ban covers 12 nations but includes special exceptions for sporting events, ensuring competitions can proceed even as fans from these countries may face significant hurdles to attend the international spectacles.

Trump’s Travel Ban Carves Out Exceptions for Major Sporting Events

President Donald Trump’s recently announced travel ban affecting citizens from 12 countries has sparked concerns about its impact on two major upcoming sporting events on American soil: the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The ban targets Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, with additional restrictions on seven more countries. Despite these broad restrictions, the executive order includes specific carve-outs for athletes, coaches, and support personnel participating in major international sporting events.

The exceptions explicitly cover “any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives, traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting event as determined by the secretary of state.” This provision ensures that the competitions themselves can proceed with full international participation, maintaining the global character of these prestigious events. However, the exceptions do not extend to fans from the affected countries, creating a potential obstacle for supporters hoping to attend and cheer for their national teams.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been working to build close relationships with the Trump administration to ensure smooth operations for the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The World Cup represents a significant revenue source for FIFA, making diplomatic coordination with host nations a top priority for the organization. Of the countries affected by the travel ban, Iran is the only one to have qualified for the World Cup so far, though nations like Cuba, Haiti, and Sudan remain in contention for spots in the tournament.

Previous host nations have implemented various measures to facilitate fan attendance at global sporting events. Russia and Qatar, for instance, allowed game tickets to serve as entry visas while conducting background checks on attendees. These precedents could provide a model for the United States to consider as it balances security concerns with the desire to host truly international events that welcome participants and spectators from around the world.

Olympic Officials Express Confidence in US Government Support

LA28 chairman Casey Wasserman has expressed confidence that the federal government will accommodate the Olympic Games despite the travel restrictions. “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 stated, highlighting the ongoing coordination between Olympic organizers and government officials. He further emphasized that “it’s very clear that the federal government understands that that’s an environment that they will be accommodating and provide for.”

The State Department has already established a dedicated team focused on visa processing for the 2028 Olympics, demonstrating the government’s commitment to ensuring the games proceed without diplomatic complications. This “fully staffed desk” will primarily focus on facilitating entry for Olympic teams rather than addressing the more complex issue of fan attendance. Nicole Hoevertsz, a senior International Olympic Committee official, has expressed “every confidence” in the United States government’s ability to fulfill its Olympic host obligations.

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Olympic organizers point to historical precedents that suggest major sporting events often receive special diplomatic consideration. Even during periods of international tension, governments typically make accommodations to ensure broad participation in the Olympic Games, which are meant to transcend political differences. The Olympics have occasionally seen targeted visa denials for specific individuals, such as Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko who was barred from attending the 2012 London Olympics, but wholesale restrictions on entire nations are generally avoided.

Wasserman has repeatedly stated that he has “great confidence” that federal support “will only continue” through the games. His optimistic outlook reflects the understanding that hosting successful Olympic Games carries significant diplomatic value for the United States, potentially outweighing the security concerns that prompted the travel ban. This balancing act between national security and international diplomacy will likely require careful navigation as the Los Angeles Olympics approach.

Challenges for International Fans and Event Integrity

While athletes and team officials from banned countries will be able to participate in these international sporting events, their fans face a much more uncertain situation. The current travel ban makes no exceptions for spectators from the affected nations who wish to attend the World Cup or Olympics, potentially leading to stands devoid of supporters from some competing countries. This situation could undermine the multicultural atmosphere that typically defines these global sporting celebrations and diminish the experience for both participants and attendees.

The travel restrictions come at a time when the United States is emphasizing its commitment to hosting inclusive international events. LA Games chairman Casey Wasserman confidently stated, “I don’t anticipate any, any problems from any countries to come and participate,” focusing on athlete participation rather than fan attendance. The distinction between accommodating official participants and welcoming the broader international community highlights the tension between security protocols and the spirit of global unity that these events promote.

“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,” Wasserman said regarding federal government support for the Olympics, emphasizing the special status afforded to the event.

Security experts note that the ban targets countries Trump has labeled as “deficient” in security protocols, highlighting the administration’s focus on protecting American citizens during these high-profile events. The World Cup and Olympics will draw hundreds of thousands of international visitors, creating significant logistical challenges for security agencies. Both FIFA and the International Olympic Committee are working closely with American officials to navigate these complexities while preserving the international character of their events.

The economic impact of restricting fan attendance could be substantial, as international spectators typically contribute significantly to host city revenues during major sporting events. Local businesses in host cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Miami count on the influx of international tourists during these events. While the number of potential visitors from the banned countries represents a relatively small percentage of expected attendees, the restrictions could set a precedent that affects international perception of America’s openness to global visitors.

As preparations continue for both the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics, organizers will need to work within the framework of existing immigration policies while advocating for arrangements that preserve the international spirit of these competitions. The challenge lies in balancing legitimate security concerns with the ideals of international cooperation and celebration that underpin these global sporting traditions. For patriotic Americans who value both national security and the country’s leadership role on the world stage, this balancing act represents an important opportunity to demonstrate American values of strength and hospitality.