Trump’s sweeping visa freeze threatens World Cup attendance

A LEAKED memo has revealed that President Donald Trump has ordered a wide-ranging suspension of US visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Brazil, Russia, Iran and Somalia, raising fresh concerns over travel to the United States ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The document, said to originate from the US State Department, instructs consular officers to pause visa applications from the affected nations while screening and vetting procedures are reviewed. The move forms part of a broader crackdown on immigrants suspected of intending to claim public benefits.

The suspension is reportedly due to take effect from January 21 and will remain in place indefinitely. Countries listed include Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand and Yemen.

The decision has sparked alarm within the sporting world, with fears that players, officials and fans could face barriers to entering the US for this summer’s World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Manchester United winger Amad Diallo is among those believed to be potentially affected should the restrictions be enforced in full.

The memo follows other hardline immigration proposals from the Trump administration, including measures that could prevent clinically obese foreign nationals from obtaining US visas, further tightening entry requirements.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott said the department would use its “long-standing authority” to deny entry to individuals deemed likely to become a public charge.

“The State Department will reassess immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would exploit the generosity of the American people,” he said. “Immigration from these 75 countries will be paused during that review.”

Only “very limited” exemptions are expected, with applicants reportedly required to pass additional public-charge checks.

Officials argue that many of the countries listed have populations perceived to lack sufficient financial means to support themselves without state assistance. Others are cited for having unreliable or fraudulent civil documentation, such as birth certificates and criminal records, making background checks difficult. Several nations, including Afghanistan, Libya and Yemen, have also been flagged for what officials describe as a historical terrorist presence and weak governmental control.

The expansion of the visa suspensions follows a series of high-profile security incidents, including the fatal shooting of National Guard members in Washington DC in November 2025, allegedly carried out by an Afghan national. In the aftermath, Mr Trump vowed to “permanently pause” migration from what he described as “Third World countries” until vetting procedures were fully reassessed.

While the pause is understood to focus primarily on immigrant visas rather than short-term tourist travel, the scale of the suspension has fuelled uncertainty ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Tens of millions of fans are expected to travel across North America for the tournament, and any delays or backlogs in visa processing could affect supporters from countries outside the US visa-waiver programme.

Although players, officials and accredited delegations usually travel under special arrangements, football authorities are expected to monitor how exemptions are applied as the tournament approaches.

Critics have condemned the policy, warning it could harm the US economy, strain diplomatic relations and undermine the inclusive spirit of a global sporting event.

“These restrictions are likely to have repercussions far beyond the individuals excluded,” said Jennie Murray, president and chief executive of the National Immigration Forum. “They risk making the US a less attractive destination for businesses and tourists worldwide.”

Amnesty International USA described the measures as “discriminatory, racist and downright cruel”, arguing that targeting people on the basis of nationality would “only spread disinformation and hate”.

European leaders have also voiced objections. French President Emmanuel Macron accused the Trump administration of “coercion and intimidation” following the use of visa sanctions against European figures, with several EU officials describing the actions as “unjustified”.