Entry into the USA is increasingly leading to problems, several countries are excluded by Trump’s government. There are questions with a view to the 2026 World Cup and Olympics 2028 – also for German sports tourists. The Federal Foreign Office now announces that the regulations for German citizens have generally not changed.
When FIFA President Gianni Infantino was once again guests at the Oval Office with US President Donald Trump last week, he was asked an unpleasant question. While Infantino has no longer allowed press conferences since 2023, reporters were present in the Trump office. One asked the effects of the flat -rate entry bans from the United States for people from certain countries for the games. Infantino replied that the club World Cup “runs smoothly”you care “Excellent relationships” To Trump and the Task Force of the government for the tournaments.
Gianni Infantino (with a jersey) with Donald Trump (right)
With a view to the 2026 World Cup, which takes place significantly in the United States, there is another year to do work. “We can use the experience of the club World Cup.” Trump spoke with a view to the club World Cup that the stadiums “largely sold out” be. According to the FIFA sales figures, the utilization of the stadiums is a little more than 50 percent. “He doesn’t even know what entry bans are”Trump said and pointed to Infantino, who tried to smile the situation away.
Iran qualified for World Cup – and excluded from entry
There are currently a flat -rate entry bans against twelve countries. Among them is Iran, which is already qualified for the World Cup and was recently in a military conflict with the United States. The ban on entry explicitly accepts athletes and trainers from the ban. But for fans from the affected countries, the path remains blocked to a tournament that lives from the international atmosphere.
The Iranian international Omid Norafkan (left) and Saman Ghoddos celebrate the fixed World Cup qualification in March 2025.
In 2017, Infantino had said to the USA, Mexico and Canada before awarding the 2026 World Cup 2026: “There are many countries with entry restrictions and visa requirements. But of course in FIFA competitions: every qualified team, including their officials and fans, need access to the host country – otherwise there is no World Cup.” FIFA has long since moved away from such clear words, and the problem could be bigger: a further 36 countries may now be added to the US government if they do not meet certain conditions. These include countries with soccer teams, some of which have very good chances of qualifying for the World Cup: Egypt, Venezuela, Dr Congo, Haiti or Ghana.
Egypt’s Mohamed Salah (right) against Alhassan Koroma from Sierra Leone – both countries could soon fall into the United States under an entry ban.
Foreign office updates for the USA
It is not just about the entry bans. Again and again there are reports of problems in entering people who do not come from the affected countries. Several German citizens reported problems or even imprisonment when entering.
The Federal Foreign Office recently updated its travel instructions for the United States. Travelers should check carefully whether information about the purpose and duration of the trip really correct. “Preventive in the United States, false information on the purpose of the residence or a minor exceeding of the length of stay while traveling can lead to arrest, deportation and deportation.”
Green MP: “Leave the USA legal Basics “
At a request from Boris Mijatovic from the Greens to the Federal Government, the Federal Foreign Office replied that the regulations for German citizens would not have changed in principle. A 90-day visa is possible, it also applies to sporting events in the USA. But: “The officials of the US Customs and Border Protection make the decision on entry entitlement to the border crossings of the United States in each individual case.”
At the request of the sports show, Mijatovic criticized the federal government with it “Too light” make. In the meantime, however, the focus of the social media behavior of entry-of-all-handed people would be put into focus and requires disclosure of the activities. Critical contributions could lead to an entry ban, said Mijatovic. “Here the United States is currently leaving a crystal -clear basis. As a result, travelers to the USA are already going on with ’empty’ mobile phones so that no data can be read out or spyware can be installed.” He expects the federal government, “That she is committed to the rights of fans, athletes and journalists”.
Member of the Bundestag Boris Mijatovic from the Greens
Thousands of athletes from hundreds of countries are expected for the Olympics
Among the possible 36 new countries on the list for entry bans is also the African state of Zimbabwe. Kirsty Coventry comes from this country, who took over the official business of Thomas Bach as IOC President this week. The question of entry requirements is also important for the IOC. Because in 2028 the Summer Olympics take place in Los Angeles, in Paris 2024 more than 10,000 athletes from 206 countries took part. Similar numbers are expected for 2028.
Kirsty Coventry and Thomas Bach
Most recently, several visa applications from the Senegalese Basketball national team of women were rejected in the United States. As the Senegalese association announced, a total of twelve applications from players and supervisors were negatively decided. Coventry will hold a first press conference on Thursday as IOC President.