The 2026 World Cup has been handed another serious obstacle to overcome after fans from 15 competing nations had their visa applications frozen by Donald Trump.
The State Department released an internal memo on Wednesday that directed consular officers to deny visas from 75 different countries while the department reexamines procedures for screening and vetting applicants.
Of those 75, 15 are due to compete in this summer’s tournament across the US, Mexico and Canada – including one of the big favorites: Brazil.
Remarkably, three of the four teams in Scotland’s Group C are affected by the visa chaos, with Brazil, Morocco and Haiti all included on Trump’s red list.
That could mean emptier stadiums for all of Scotland’s group-stage matches, with games taking place in Foxborough (vs Haiti and Morocco) and Miami (vs Brazil).
Algeria, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Iran, Jordan, Senegal, Tunisia, Uruguay and Uzbekistan are the other nations affected by the bombshell plans.
Donald Trump has wreaked visa chaos ahead of the World Cup by freezing visas for 75 nations
Fans of Senegal and 14 other competing World Cup nations cannot currently get a visa
The State Department is expected to implement the indefinite freeze on January 21, and the Daily Mail has reached out to FIFA for further clarification on how fans of those nations are likely to be affected.
The memo sent out on Wednesday directs consular officers to deny visas to applicants who will need to rely on public benefits upon entry to the US.
Officers are also instructed to weigh a variety of factors for applicants, including health, age, and English proficiency.
‘The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people,’ State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott said.
‘Immigration from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassess immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits.’
Gianni Infantino (right) has had a host of hurdles to overcome ahead of this summer’s tournament
The State Department will provide exceptions for some visa applications under the new pause, but it will be ‘very limited’.
The pause comes amid Trump deliberating options to strike Iran following nationwide protests against the Islamic regime.
The President warned on Tuesday that if Ayatollah Ali Khamenei goes forward with hangings on Wednesday, he will take ‘strong action’.
Trump is said to have been briefed in recent days about his options, including strikes on nonmilitary sites in Tehran.
