On Monday, June 9, President Donald Trump's so-called travel ban came into effect in the United States.
Under the legislation, travel to the U.S. is banned from 12 countries, with national security concerns cited.
These countries are Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
There are also seven countries — Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela — whose nationals face partial travel restrictions.
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It remains to be seen how these new rules will affect major international sporting events in the United States.
The expanded FIFA Club World Cup takes place in the country from June 14 to July 13 this year, running largely in parallel to the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the U.S. and Canada.
These events precede the 2026 FIFA World Cup that will be hosted across North America in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.
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How does Donald Trump's travel ban affect Club World Cup and Gold Cup?
Section four of the travel ban lays out exemptions for sportspeople travelling from the listed countries to take part in "major" sporting events.
The legislation says: "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 [can travel to the United States]".
It is unclear whether the "World Cup" reference covers both the Club World Cup and 2026 World Cup or just the latter. The Sporting News has contacted FIFA for clarification.
If it doesn't, both the Club World Cup and Gold Cup will be assessed as to whether or not they are "major sporting events" on a case-by-case basis.
Which Club World Cup and Gold Cup participants are affected by the U.S. travel ban?
Haiti are the only competing nation at the Gold Cup that is among the 12 countries impacted by the full travel ban.
The competition begins on June 15 and, without knowing specifically whether or not the Gold Cup will be exempt as a major sporting event, their participation is in doubt.
Below is a list of players representing clubs competing in the Club World Cup whose countries are either on the full ban or restricted list.
Inter Miami
- Telasco Segovia (Venezuela)
Botafogo
- Jefferson Savarino (Venezuela)
Esperance de Tunis
- Roger Aholou (Togo)
LAFC
- David Martinez (Venezuela)
Inter Milan
- Mehdi Taremi (Iran)
Ulsan
- Matias Lacava (Venezuela)
Al Ain
- Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba (Togo)
- Josna Loulendo (Congo)
- Mohamed Awadalla (Sudan)
Pachuca
- Salomon Rondon (Venezuela)
Clubs had to submit their squad lists to FIFA on June 10 after the pre-tournament transfer window closes. Botafogo submitted theirs on June 8 and Jefferson Savarino was included.
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