The Club World Cup is viewed as a rehearsal for the 2026 World Cup, set to take place in the US, Canada, and Mexico. However, there appears to be minimal interest for the Club World Cup both domestically and internationally. The increase in the number of teams from seven to 32 has lessened the event’s exclusivity, resulting in sluggish ticket sales.
At the same time, the tournament takes place amidst reports of foreign tourists facing detentions and delays in visa processing. Turbulent activities by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and President Donald Trump’s travel bans are not reassuring to international fans, either.
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Trump’s policies seem to have already affected travelers. The National Travel and Tourism Office revealed data indicating a 9.7% drop in visitors to the US from foreign nations in March compared to the previous year. The travel forecasting firm Tourism Economics has projected a 9.4% decline in international arrivals this year.
The US Travel Association, a nonprofit representing the travel sector, has urged the Trump administration to enhance visa processing and customs wait times ahead of major sporting events hosted in the US, including the Club World Cup starting June 14, the Ryder Cup later this year, next summer’s World Cup, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Association President Geoff Freeman noted that the wait time for a visa interview appointment in Colombia is currently over 18 months — making the 2026 World Cup unattainable for some travelers. He stated his organization is collaborating with the White House’s World Cup Task Force to resolve these issues.
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“The task force understands the significance of this event: success is imperative. We’re eager to assist in whatever ways we can to ensure we can welcome the millions of additional visitors we believe are possible,” Freeman said. “However, we must address these fundamental issues related to visas and customs.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during a House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing last month, proposed extending consular staff shifts and leveraging artificial intelligence to expedite visa processing.
“Achieving success for this event is a priority for the president,” Rubio stated.
However, the Trump administration may have exacerbated concerns for international visitors by imposing a travel ban on individuals from 12 countries, along with restrictions on nine additional countries. Iran, one of the listed countries, is among those that have qualified for the World Cup.
The proclamation included an exemption for “any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, individuals performing necessary support roles, and immediate relatives, traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting events as determined by the secretary of state.”
(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)
First Published: Jun 8, 2025 7:49 PM IST
