Today Representative Rick Larsen, Co-Chair of the Congressional Soccer Caucus, released the following statement about the impact of President Trump’s travel ban on World Cup 2026:
“I want World Cup 2026 to be a showcase of great soccer, and everything that’s great about the United States.
“Yet, as a life-long soccer player and big soccer fan, I can say the United States is perilously close to being unwelcoming to all soccer fans who want to come here for the single largest sporting event in the world.
“At this point, it seems like Iranian fans may be the only ones directly prevented from coming to the U.S. to support their national team because of the travel ban, although the World Cup hopes of Haiti and Sudan are still up in the air.
“However, the Trump administration needs to devote resources to consular services worldwide so soccer fans are not prevented from attending because of slow processing times for required visas.
“A bigger issue going forward will be the Olympics in 2028, when fans from many more countries, including those covered by the ban, will be coming to support their athletes.
“I know the White House Task Force on the World Cup is aware of these issues. It must ensure that federal agencies are doing their job to ensure fans from all participating nations are welcome.
