EXCLUSIVE: Manchester United's Ivory Coast star Amad Diallo is among at least 12 Premier League players who could face travel bans or delays entering the US for this year's World Cup
19:58, 11 Jan 2026Updated 20:16, 11 Jan 2026
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Trump could show some World Cup players the red card(Image: )
At least 10 World Cup matches could be trumped by US travel bans hitting players, officials and fans - including Manchester United ace Amad Diallo.
The 23-year-old winger has been one of the standout stars of the Africa Cup of Nations, scoring three goals for the Ivory Coast as they reached the quarter-finals.
But he and Everton midfielder Iliman Ndiaye, 25, who scored Senegal's winner against Mali to put them in Wednesday's semi-final against Egypt, are among at least 12 Premier League players from countries facing World Cup visa woes.
Restrictions that came into force on January 1 could see participants from four nations prevented or delayed entry to the United States. Iran and Haiti are subject to a full travel ban, while Senegal and the Ivory Coast have partial bans.
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Manchester United's Ivory Coast star Amad Diallo(Image: )
It is not clear if players and support staff will be granted entry to compete, and whether any fans will be allowed in to attend matches. At least 10 group games staged on US soil could be hit.
Announcing the restrictions, US President Donald Trump stated there would be ‘exceptions for certain visa categories like athletes’.
But there has been no guarantee that exemptions will be granted to World Cup competitors, their support staff and families, according to the Stop Trump Coalition pressure group.
From February 8, visitors from 42 countries under the ESTA visa waiver programme will have to share five years of social media history to enter the US - meaning they could be banned from the tournament too.
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Donald Trump's travel crackdown could hit World Cup(Image: Getty Images)
Stop Trump Coalition spokesman Jake Atkinson said: “It increasingly appears that anyone can be denied entry to the United States simply for sharing views that are not supportive of the President or his administration.
“Others face detention and deportation when in the country. Visitors from any country should consider their own safety and the President’s crackdown on freedom of speech before visiting.
"Whilst players and staff of these national teams must be allowed to compete in the World Cup, what is really needed is a change of policy.
“In the first week of 2026 alone, Trump has illegally bombed Venezuela in order to seize the country’s oil, threatened similar attacks on other countries and restated his intent to annex Greenland.
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Everton's Iliman Ndiaye(Image: Getty Images)
“Countries must come together to stand up to Trump collectively rather than embolden him through appeasement.
“The World Cup is an opportunity for people to come together through sport and share in our humanity. Trump has none.”
Travel experts have warned thousands of football fans could be refused entry to the US due to tightening visa checks, social media screening and tough new border policies.
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Jessie Chambers, from working holiday provider Global Work & Travel, has warned: “We’re already seeing people being refused entry for things as small as old tweets, minor criminal records, or incorrect ESTA answers.
“With Trump’s administration reinstating stricter entry rules, fans need to treat this World Cup as a high-risk travel event - not a holiday you can book last minute.”