The Trump administration has singled out a group of sporting events, including the upcoming FIFA World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics, that will be allowed to host athletes from countries on the current travel ban.
In a cable that was issued to all United States embassies and consulates last Wednesday, “major sporting events” that draw athletes, coaches and support staff from the 39 countries and the Palestinian Authority will not face restrictions.
But fans of those same nations, along with media and sponsors who look to attend these sporting events still face travel bans and would need some type of exemption.
The 39 countries on the travel restriction is part of a larger ban that was recently updated on December 16 in a presidential proclamation. In a fact sheet accompanying the statement, the nations facing travel bans where described as having “severe deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing to protect the Nation from national security and public safety threats.”
The advisory comes just weeks after at least 14 members of the Ethiopian delegation were denied visas in time for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee on January 10.
News of the team being impacted by the visa issues was widely reported despite Ethiopia not being among the 39 country facing travel restrictions — or our right bans — into the U.S.
Ethiopia adjusted its roster in time for world championships and won both men’s and women’s senior team honors while Marta Alemayo won her second straight junior women’s title.
Meanwhile, the cable issued by the State Department listed the sporting events that won’t face restrictions, including “all competitions and qualifying events” for the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Pan-American Games and Para Pan-American Games, Special Olympics, competitions approved by FIFA and events sanctioned by a U.S. National Governing Body like USA Track and Field.
Other events could be added to the list but also covers competitions staged by the International Military Sports Council, the International University Sports Federation, the NCAA, National Football League, the National Basketball Association and Women’s National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball and Little League, the National Hockey League, the Professional Women’s Hockey League, NASCAR, Formula 1, the Professional Golf Association, the Ladies Professional Golf Association, LIV Golf, Major League Rugby, Major League Soccer, World Wrestling Entertainment, Ultimate Fighting Championship and All Elite Wrestling.
The cable’s announcement of loosening travel restrictions for sporting events comes at the same time when the State Department revealed it will suspend processing immigrant visas for the citizens of 75 countries the U.S. has determined would seek public assistance benefits.
