Trump policy creates new complications ahead of 2026 World Cup

November 19, 2025 Oliver Obel

WASHINGTON — The qualifying rounds for the 2026 World Cup have delivered dramatic breakthroughs across several continents, but two of the newest entrants are forcing tournament officials to confront an unusual conflict between global sport and U.S. immigration rules.

Both Iran and Haiti have secured places in the expanded 48-team tournament, yet each country appears on the United States’ latest travel-ban list—an overlap that FIFA and U.S. authorities are now working to manage as preparations accelerate toward December’s draw.

The qualifying window has already confirmed 42 teams, with a final group still battling through play-offs. Several historic firsts emerged from the latest matches: Scotland earned a spot after a high-scoring win over Denmark, and Curacao, Cape Verde, Jordan and Uzbekistan all clinched their first-ever World Cup appearances.

Countries on the ban list face unique obstacles

Iran advanced comfortably from Asia, finishing with 23 points from ten matches. But the country’s progress comes with complications. According to U.S. media reports, Iranian officials were previously denied entry for meetings tied to the draw, raising early questions about how the travel restrictions will interact with a tournament hosted largely on American soil.

Haiti, meanwhile, qualified after a decisive win over Nicaragua, prompting celebrations that spilled into the streets of Port-au-Prince. American officials have said the country was deemed “deficient with regards to screening and vetting and determined to pose a very high risk.”

The policy bars most travelers from the affected nations from entering the United States as immigrants or tourists. Athletes competing in global events can apply for exemptions, which means players, coaches and essential staff are expected to be cleared. The broader challenge may fall on supporters, federation officials and diaspora communities—especially in Florida, where Haitian Americans represent one of the country’s largest Caribbean communities.

U.S. cities, visa policies and tournament logistics under scrutiny

President Donald Trump, who reinstated the travel restrictions in June, has continued to link World Cup hosting rights to domestic issues. Speaking from the Oval Office, he warned that cities failing to address rising crime rates—most recently Seattle, following earlier remarks about Boston—could see their hosting status reconsidered.

The administration has also announced a new process intended to handle the wave of visitors expected for the tournament. Supporters with valid match tickets will receive priority in securing visa appointments through a system known as PASS, short for FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System.

“It guarantees you an expedited appointment,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said. “You’ll still go through the same vetting process as anyone else. The only difference here is that we’re moving you up in line.”

To manage the surge, the State Department has assigned 400 additional consular officers to World Cup-related visa operations.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino praised the arrangement, calling it a sign of openness. “America welcomes the world,” he said. “We have always said that this will be the greatest and most inclusive FIFA World Cup in history — and the FIFA PASS service is a very concrete example of that.”

Sources: Reuters, BBC, AP