Athletes Exempt From Trump 75 Countries Visa Ban for Key Events/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Trump administration has officially outlined which sporting events are exempt from its sweeping visa restrictions affecting 39 countries. Athletes and coaches participating in key international, collegiate, and professional competitions can still enter the U.S. despite the ban. Spectators and sponsors, however, remain largely excluded from the exemptions.
Trump Sports Visa Ban Quick Looks
- Trump’s visa ban affects travelers from 39 countries and the Palestinian Authority
- Athletes and coaches attending major sporting events are exempt
- Exemptions include the World Cup, Olympics, Paralympics, and other key competitions
- U.S. professional sports leagues like NFL, NBA, and MLB are included
- Spectators, corporate sponsors, and media are not covered by the exemption
- The list includes events sanctioned by FIFA, NCAA, and Special Olympics
- Exemptions aim to balance strict immigration policy with global sports participation
- Additional events may be added to the exemption list by the State Department
Deep Look: Athletes Exempt From Trump 75 Countries Visa Ban for Key Events
In a move to clarify how the United States’ broad visa ban will affect international sports, the Trump administration has released a detailed list of major athletic competitions whose participants will be allowed to bypass the restrictions. The list, issued via a cable from the State Department on Wednesday, includes a broad range of events beyond just the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games.
The guidance comes in the wake of President Donald Trump’s December proclamation that restricts visa issuance to citizens of 75 countries and those holding Palestinian Authority travel documents. While the original order included an exemption for the World Cup, Olympics, and other major sporting events, it left specifics up to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Who’s Exempt?
According to the State Department’s new directive, athletes, coaches, and essential support staff participating in designated sporting events will not be subject to the visa ban. However, foreign media, sponsors, and fans are still generally prohibited from entering the U.S. under the ban unless they qualify for a separate visa category or exemption.
The cable emphasized that “only a small subset of travelers” would be eligible, underscoring the administration’s strict approach to immigration even in the context of high-profile international events.
Events Covered by the Exemption
In addition to the World Cup and Olympics, the list of exempted events includes:
- All competitions and qualifiers for the Paralympic Games, Pan-American Games, and Para Pan-American Games
- Events recognized or hosted by a U.S. National Governing Body (NGB) for a given sport
- All official Special Olympics events and qualifiers
- Competitions sanctioned by FIFA and its affiliated regional confederations
- Events hosted by the International Military Sports Council, International University Sports Federation, and the NCAA
The exemption also applies to events and competitions affiliated with professional U.S. sports leagues and organizations, including:
- NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, Little League Baseball, NHL, PWHL (Professional Women’s Hockey League)
- NASCAR, Formula 1, PGA, LPGA, LIV Golf
- Major League Soccer, Major League Rugby
- WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), AEW (All Elite Wrestling)
These exemptions aim to ensure that international athletic participation in U.S.-based events can continue, even as broader travel restrictions remain in place. The cable noted that more events could be added to the exemption list over time.
Visa Ban Coverage
The visa ban remains in full effect for the following 20 countries: Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Myanmar, Niger, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Yemen, and the Palestinian Authority.
An additional 19 countries are under partial bans, which still significantly restrict travel: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, Gambia, Ivory Coast, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Togo, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Balancing Policy and Participation
The administration has defended its approach, arguing that national security and immigration control are paramount. At the same time, officials recognize the importance of allowing international athletes and coaches to enter the U.S. for major sporting competitions.
The dual aim of the policy—strengthening border security while maintaining global sports participation—reflects the administration’s broader strategy of tightening visa access without isolating the U.S. from major international events.
President Trump, a vocal supporter of large-scale sporting events, was recently awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the 2026 World Cup draw held in Washington. His administration has frequently highlighted the prestige and economic benefits associated with hosting global sports competitions.
Future Developments
While the list of exempt events is now public, State Department officials may revise or expand it as additional requests are submitted. Event organizers who believe their competitions warrant consideration can petition for inclusion.
Still, the core policy remains restrictive. With few pathways for travel, foreign media and fans from affected countries are largely shut out from attending events in person, unless other visa channels are available.
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