New Delhi: U.S. President Donald Trump’s love for sports is well-documented, and it is exactly why he has expressed excitement about hosting the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in his second term.
Though the latest travel ban announced by Trump on citizens from 12 countries has triggered uncertainty regarding visa policies for foreign fans who plan to visit the U.S. to witness the two mega sporting spectacles.
World Cup and the Summer Olympics – the two biggest sports events – attract fans from all corners of the globe, but the ban has raised questions surrounding the travel plans of the spectators, which could potentially impact the success of the events.
What is the travel ban policy?
According to the new travel ban, from Monday, citizens of 12 countries – Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen – will be banned from entering the U.S.
Besides this, there will be restrictions on visitors from seven more nations, including Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
According to Trump, the reason behind the move was the “deficient” screening and vetting processes of some countries and the refusal to take back their own citizens.
Who is in contention to qualify for the World Cup and Olympics, and how does it impact the travel plans?
Asian powerhouse Iran is the only targeted country to qualify so far for the World Cup, being co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico next year.
Cuba, Haiti and Sudan are contenders, while Sierra Leone might stay in contention through multiple playoff games. Burundi, Equatorial Guinea and Libya are unlikely to qualify, but all have an outside chance.
While the ban is apllicable to all the residents of the 12 banned nations, all can send teams to the World Cup if they qualify as per the policy which makes exceptions for “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.”
Athletes from almost 200 countries could send athletes to the Olympics, including those who come under the latest travel restrictions. The exceptions should apply to them if the ban is still in place in its current form.
How will the ban impact the fans?
The travel ban doesn’t state any exceptions for fans from the banned countries list planning to travel to the U.S. for the World Cup or the Olympics.
There might be a possibility of different passport options for fans and countries travelling to the Olympics and the World Cup, as they will spend a lot due to expensive travel plans with hiked flight and hotel prices.
(With Inputs from AP)
U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of the travel ban on 12 countries has raised questions surrounding the travel plans of the fans, countries for 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
