The Caribbean nation joins Iran as World Cup competitors covered by travel ban.
By Myah Ward and Sophia Cai
The Trump administration will not grant any special exceptions for Haitian soccer fans hoping to travel to the U.S. to follow their team at next year’s FIFA World Cup, according to the State Department.
Haiti, which this week qualified to compete in the men’s World Cup for the first time since 1974, is covered by a travel ban President Donald Trump signed in June. The presidential proclamation restricts people from 19 countries from entering the United States, while including exemptions for players and their families, coaches and support personnel to participate in major sporting events. But the State Department confirmed to POLITICO on Friday that this exception will not apply to Haitian fans or spectators hoping to attend.
Haiti joins Iran as the second country covered under the travel ban to qualify for a place in the tournament, which the United States will co-host with Canada and Mexico. The same travel-ban restrictions apply to both countries.
