Haitian football supporters will be unable to cheer on their national team in person at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States due to a travel ban enacted by President Donald Trump's administration.
The Presidential Prohibition
This week, while numerous nations celebrated their World Cup qualification, Haiti secured its place for the first time since 1974. However, the joy for their fans has been tempered by the enforcement of a Trump-era proclamation signed in June. This policy restricts entry to the US for citizens from 19 nations, including Haiti.
The US State Department has confirmed it will not grant special exceptions for football fans, despite the global sporting event. The travel ban affects 42 qualifying nations, with countries like Afghanistan, Iran, Venezuela, and Cuba also facing various forms of restriction.
Exemptions for Players, Not Supporters
While the ban is firm for spectators, there are clear exemptions for those directly involved in the tournament. Players, coaches, and support staff from Haiti and other affected nations will be permitted to enter the United States to participate in the World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada.
A State Department spokesperson indicated that fans could still apply for visas but cautioned that they "may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission to the United States." Exceptions are theoretically possible for applicants whose travel would "advance U.S. national interest," but officials have stated such cases will be "very rare."
This situation echoes past controversies, as Trump previously referred to Haiti and African nations as 's***hole countries' during a 2018 immigration discussion.
Haiti's Challenging Road to Qualification
The Haitian team's achievement is made more remarkable by the immense challenges they have overcome. The nation has not hosted a home game in four years due to pervasive gang violence. Sebastien Migne, the team's French coach, revealed he has not set foot in Haiti since his appointment 18 months ago.
"It's impossible because it's too dangerous," Migne told France Football magazine. "I usually live in the countries where I work, but I can't here. There are no more international flights landing there." Consequently, the team has been forced to play its home matches 500 miles away in Curacao.
The news comes just after Trump met with the World Cup Task Force and FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the White House. The pair have a well-documented relationship, with Infantino reportedly planning to present Trump with FIFA's inaugural Peace Prize. During the meeting, Trump expressed disbelief at the tournament's projected $30 billion economic impact, half-jokingly asking Infantino, "How much does the country get out of that? 20 percent?"
