Travel, Visa Issues Hang Over World Cup

Key Points:

• The U.S. State Department's visa policies have caused significant travel issues for World Cup participants, including players, referees, team staff, federation leaders, and journalists, with some facing denials or restrictions due to national security and public safety concerns.
• Iran’s national team has experienced ongoing visa challenges, with more than a dozen staff members denied entry and the team reportedly allowed to enter the U.S. only one day before matches, leading to their base camp being moved from Arizona to Mexico.
• Swiss player Breel Embolo faced a last-minute travel hold-up due to additional visa checks related to a past legal matter but was later approved and rejoined his team in the U.S.
• South Africa’s national team encountered visa delays that postponed their travel, though all players eventually received visas, and the team is now competing in Mexico.
• Journalists from certain countries have faced visa denials or single-entry restrictions, limiting their ability to cover the tournament fully, while a Somali referee was denied entry and thus unable to officiate, highlighting broader issues with U.S. travel bans affecting World Cup participation.