World Cup 2026: Haitian Fans Not Welcomed To The US- State Department
Despite the qualification of the Caribbean nation of Haiti to the 2026 Works Cup to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, the Trump administration has ruled out welcoming Haitians to the United States for the Mindial.
The Caribbean nation joins Iran as World Cup competitors covered by travel ban.
According to the State Department, the United States Government will not grant any special exceptions for Haitian soccer fans hoping to travel to the U.S. to follow their team at next year’s FIFA World Cup,
Haiti, which this week qualified to compete in the World Cup for the first time since 1974, is covered by a travel ban President Donald Trump signed in June. The presidential proclamation restricts people from 19 countries from entering the United States, while including exemptions for players and their families, coaches and support personnel to participate in major sporting events.
But the State Department confirmed t on Friday that this exception will not apply to Haitian fans or spectators hoping to attend.
The Trump administration’s insistence on maintaining a blanket ban due to travelers’ country of origin is likely to raise hackles from within the international soccer community, which has historically celebrated the World Cup as a gathering place for fans from around the world.
World Cup hosts have typically streamlined visa requirements to facilitate travel for visiting fans following their home teams.
Concerns about the effects of Trump’s immigration and border policies have hung over preparations for the tournament, which begins next June.
Gianni Infantino, the president of tournament organizer FIFA, has previously said “fans from all over the world will be welcome.”
The Trump administration’s list targets nations the administration says are national security risks, have high visa overstay rates and where it’s infeasible to vet visitors and visa applicants. Haiti is facing a severe political crisis, marked by widespread gang violence and worsening humanitarian conditions, with the team playing home games outside of the country.
The State Department said fans may still submit visa applications and schedule interviews to attend the games, but that they “may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission to the United States.”
The travel ban also included an exception for applicants whose travel would “advance U.S. national interest,” though a State Department spokesperson said such exceptions will likely be “very rare.”
Fans are likely to begin attempting to make travel plans after the tournament’s schedule, with specific match days and locations, is set by a draw that will take place on December. 5 in Washington.
The Haitian Embassy did not immediately respond to request for comment, and tournament organizer FIFA declined to comment.
