2026 World Cup: An Unwelcome Guest—Trump Bars the World Champion from the Stadium

Yet another incident has cast a shadow over the 2026 World Cup, which is now in its final stages: Spain and Argentina will face off for the title on Sunday in New Jersey. Countless VIPs and many former world champions are expected in the stands, but Joan Capdevila—who won the 2010 World Cup with Spain—will not be among them.

The former La Roja defender had his visa denied because of an exhibition match he played in 2016, when he took the field in Tehran in a game between La Liga all-stars and a selection of Iranian players.

““I was there 10 years ago for a regular game, and apparently if you’ve been to Iran, you can’t enter the United States. I can’t believe I have to give up this joy—and deny it to my kids, who love soccer—because of a friendly match from so long ago,” Capdevila wrote disappointedly on social media. “Someone help me—there’s nothing we can do.”

The Capdevila case is just the latest controversy in a World Cup already fraught with tensions of all kinds. The 2026 tournament has been marked from the start by debates over the new 48-team format, diplomatic pressure related to Iran’s participation, a health emergency that forced the Democratic Republic of the Congo into a three-week quarantine in Belgium before reaching the United States, and even by allegations of referee bias.

The President of the United States, who has already made an unusual tactical comment regarding England head coach Thomas Tuchel’s handling of Harry Kane, will also be the one to present the World Cup trophy to the winners: a complete departure from tradition, which called for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to perform the tournament’s quintessential symbolic gesture. King Felipe VI of Spain will be in the stands at MetLife Stadium, while Argentina is expected to be represented by its ambassador.