Trump team pressed on travel restrictions amid rising World Cup concerns

December 8, 2025 Oliver Obel

The flashpoint dates back to June, when President Donald Trump announced what he described as “common sense restrictions” on entry for foreign nationals who, in his view, had not undergone proper vetting.

Reporting by The Independent outlined the scope of that order: citizens of 12 nations, including qualified teams Iran and Haiti, are barred from entering the US. The list also covers Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

Separate partial restrictions apply to travellers from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela. Immigration attorneys say the current patchwork of limits is unusually complex for a country preparing to host millions of visiting supporters.

Canada and Mexico co-hosts for the tournament do not have similar exclusions, raising the possibility that some supporters may only be able to attend matches held outside the United States.

A briefing that raised more questions than answers

At a midweek press conference intended to highlight progress on World Cup logistics, Andrew Giuliani, who heads the White House’s World Cup Task Force, found himself pressed repeatedly on how the restrictions will apply during the event.

Coverage from Al Jazeera noted that Giuliani reaffirmed there would be no special waivers for supporters from the 19 restricted nations. He also did not rule out stepped-up immigration enforcement around match sites a comment that immediately drew concern from civil-rights groups.

Giuliani did clarify that players and essential staff from affected countries would continue to receive visas under existing exemptions. Beyond that, details were scarce. One reporter described the briefing room as “restless,” with officials declining to say whether further guidance would be issued before ticketing windows close.

Haiti’s story highlights what’s at stake

Giuliani pointed to Haiti when asked about the rationale for the policy, noting that its national team coach, Sébastien Migné, has never been able to visit the country since taking the job.

In an interview with L’Equipe, Migné said it was “impossible” to base himself there because flights no longer operate and armed groups control major routes in and out of the capital.

Amnesty International has warned of a “near-total breakdown of security,” saying children are “regularly exploited by gangs” and that “almost any street could become a battlefield.” The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office continues to advise against all travel.

Even so, Haiti produced one of the most emotional stories of the World Cup cycle, qualifying for the first time in 50 years a feat achieved almost entirely in exile.

For fans, the path forward is murky

The US travel order does include a carve-out for athletes, coaches, and essential team staff participating in major global sporting events. Crucially, it does not extend to supporters, and officials have indicated no change is imminent.

Fan groups for several affected nations say they have received no communication from US authorities about what documents if any might allow them entry. Travel planners warn that without clarity soon, many supporters may abandon attempts altogether, especially as accommodation prices rise closer to kickoff.

Countries under full travel Ban

These countries' citizens are barred from entering the United States under the order referenced:

Haiti
Iran
Afghanistan
Myanmar
Chad
Congo-Brazzaville
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Libya
Somalia
Sudan
Yemen

Countries Under Partial Travel Restrictions

These countries have limited or conditional travel restrictions applied:

Venezuela
Burundi
Cuba
Laos
Sierra Leone
Togo
Turkmenistan

The clock is ticking

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has repeatedly said the US will “welcome the world,” but with restrictive federal policies still in place, that promise remains uncertain for a sizable share of the global football community.

Unless the White House provides clearer guidance in the coming months, the world’s biggest sporting event may open with entire sections of fans watching from afar not because they chose to, but because they could not gain entry.

Sources: The Independent, Al Jazeera, Amnesty International, FCDO, L’Equipe.