Many stories are appearing about problems with visa or electronic visa waivers. Many Scotland fans, with travel paid for and match tickets bought, are getting notifications that their ETSA visa waiver status has been changed - from approved to travel not permitted. Out of the blue with no reason given. One explained his frustration as his ETSA has been approved last year and he had even traveled to New York last November (ETSA are normally valid for tow years).
Now players, team officials and even referees are having their travel to the US denied.
This is a joke.
Don’t worry Trump is getting the armed forces to fill empty seats, with one provisor. They must not be oveweight as physical chearing and standing up applauding is compulsory. Also not in uniform.
Hah, I wonder if each soldier / sailor will get specific instruction on which team they are to support? “Today, sapper, you are a fervent South Korean fan. Here is your regulation kimchi to eat at half time. Here is your scarf. And here are the words to the South Korean national anthem.”
I always suspected that the US does not actually like football, unless its American football.
Latest examples of the US administration trying to scupper the world cup: Swiss footballer Embolo’s visa was put under review and he was only able to join his team days later.
• Iraqi national team player Aymen Hussein was held for questioning for nearly 7 hours upon entering the United States.
• The Iranian national team spent days dealing with visa procedures at the U.S. Consulate in Türkiye. The U.S. only allowed them entry on match days. Fifteen members of the delegation were denied visas.
• Omar Abdulkadir Artan, named CAF’s Best African Referee of 2025, was denied a visa. Despite travelling to the U.S. with a diplomatic passport, he was refused entry and sent back. FIFA announced that he will not be able to officiate at the tournament.
• The South African national team arrived in the United States much later than planned because part of the delegation was not granted visas.
• Members of the Senegal national team staff were forced to remove their shoes and subjected to lengthy searches, sparking accusations of racism.
• The Uzbekistan national team was searched with bomb-sniffing dogs and the footage went viral in international media.
• Some Scottish supporters, despite being eligible to enter the U.S. visa-free under the ESTA programme, had their travel authorisations revoked just days before departure.
• Many supporters who had already bought tickets and booked accommodation had their visa applications rejected, resulting in financial losses.
If it gets Coronation Street back in it’s usual time…I’m all for the bannings.