FIFA doesn’t know very well what to do with Haiti and Iran. The problem, generated by the executive order of June 4, which prohibited entry to USA to citizens of 12 countries, has since spread without a visible solution. The decree exempts the sports representatives of these nations, including Haiti and Iran, qualified for the FIFA World Cup, but does not contemplate, at least in its original text, their fans.
The calendar of 2026 World Cuppublished last Saturday, December 6, placed The Grenadiers and to Team Melli in US headquarters. Both nations, whose citizens cannot enter the United States, will play all their matches in the group stage of the highest soccer tournament in the American Union. Haiti will begin its journey in its first World Cup in 52 years in the Gillette Stadium de Foxboroughopposite Scotland; will travel to Philadelphiato face Brazil; and will close the first round against Morocco in Atlanta. Iranfor his part, will debut with New Zealand, in Los Angeles; will remain in the same city, to face Belgium; and will fasten Sector G in Seattle, where he will wait Egypt.
However, it is still unknown if both teams will be able to count on their fans in the stands. The exceptions of the executive order do not distinguish fans who visit the country exclusively to attend the games of the World. The policy has motivated multiple criticisms in the context of a sporting event of the stature of the FIFA Cup, which theoretically celebrates universality; Carlos de las Herasresponsible for sports and Human Rights at Amnesty International Spainwrote: “The US administration’s abusive immigration policies, which include travel bans to the country, increased detentions and visa restrictions, represent a threat to the inclusive nature of the World Cup (…) The World Cup cannot be a celebration of football when thousands of fans are being denied access”.
FIFA, so far, has not commented on the issue. There is also no public information regarding the logistics that will accompany the Haitian and Iranian teams in their World Cup headquarters, nor about whether their access to USA will be guaranteed. AS consulted FIFA about whether the administration Trump and the Federation will open a mechanism that allows fans from both countries to accompany their respective teams; However, until now, has not received a response. As the paradox continues, time passes.
Haiti’s matches in the 2026 World Cup
- vs. Scotland | Gillette Stadium; Foxborough, Massachusetts | June 13, 2026 | 9:00 pm ET
- vs. Brazil | Lincoln Financial Field; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | June 19, 2026 | 9:00 p.m. ET
- vs. Morocco | Mercedes Benz Stadium; Atlanta, Georgia | June 24, 2026 | 6:00 pm ET
Iran’s matches in the 2026 World Cup
- vs. New Zealand | SoFi Stadium; Los Angeles, California | June 15, 2026 | 9:00 pm ET
- vs. Belgium | SoFi Stadium; Los Angeles, California | June 21, 2026 | 3:00 pm ET
- vs. Egipto | Lumen Field; Seattle, Washington | 26 de junio de 2026 | 11:00 pm ET
What Trump 2.0’s travel ban says
People from Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen cannot enter the United States since June 4, 2025. One of the exceptions contemplated by the item IV of the decree mentions “coaches, people who play a necessary support role (team staff, for example) and immediate family members.” But there is no space, yet, for those who put color in the stadiums.
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