Donald Trump has barred supporters of one of the teams heading to the 2026 World Cup from entering the United States.

Anticipation is already rising ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada. The final is set for New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, with both semi-finals also taking place on American soil.

Across the US, 11 cities — Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle — will welcome matches. Toronto and Vancouver will represent Canada, while Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara will host games in Mexico.

Trump’s Public Enthusiasm vs. Private Restrictions

As president, Trump has expressed great excitement about the global spotlight the tournament will bring. He is expected to attend multiple matches, much like he did during last summer’s Club World Cup, when he stood alongside Chelsea players during their trophy ceremony after defeating Paris Saint-Germain.

But behind his outwardly upbeat appearances, Trump has made several controversial decisions that directly affect some of the nations competing in the expanded 48-team event.

Haiti Qualifies — but Its Fans May Be Shut Out

Haiti secured just their second-ever World Cup appearance after beating Nicaragua 2–0 on November 19. Yet Haitian fans eager to follow their team to the US may face a harsh reality: they are covered by Trump’s renewed travel ban signed in June.

The ban includes 18 other countries and blocks entry for people from Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. It also partially restricts nationals from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

Trump, now 79, has cited national security risks as the justification for these restrictions.

While exemptions will be granted to allow players, team staff, and their immediate families to travel for the tournament, Haitian supporters will not be included, according to the State Department, as reported by POLITICO.

This makes Haiti the second qualifying nation — alongside Iran — whose fans will be barred from entering the US during the World Cup.

Haiti’s Crisis Intensifies the Blow

Haiti continues to grapple with a severe political crisis, rampant gang violence, and worsening humanitarian conditions. These challenges have been so significant that the national team has been forced to play its home matches 500 miles away, in Curaçao.

For the country’s passionate supporters, qualifying for the World Cup should have been a rare moment of joy. Instead, many may now face the heartbreak of being unable to watch their team compete on American soil.