Both proclamations carve out an exception for athletes participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. ConclusionThe 2026 FIFA World Cup offers the United States an opportunity to host an event of unprecedented global scale. The current travel restrictions introduce legal, logistical, and economic challenges that might affect participation and attendance. See Francesco Porzio, “Iran sports minister says national team ‘cannot’ participate in World Cup hosted by United States,” CBS Sports (March 11, 2026). See Tariq Panja, “Iran to Skip World Cup, Minister Says, Despite Reported Trump Assurances,” New York Times (March 11, 2026).

Source: New York Times March 19, 2026 16:03 UTC