Last year, President Trump reintroduced a sweeping travel ban targeting several countries - and attention was seriously focused on his decision after it was revealed that two countries from the list have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in the USA.

In June, Trump announced that he was bringing back restrictions on travel to the US from many countries, primarily ones in Africa and the Middle East.

Full bans were put in place for 12 countries, with a further seven nations facing partial restrictions.

In a proclamation shared by the president at the time, he stated: "During my first Administration, I restricted the entry of foreign nationals into the United States, which successfully prevented national security threats from reaching our borders and which the Supreme Court upheld.

"In Executive Order 14161 of January 20, 2025 (Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats), I stated that it is the policy of the United States to protect its citizens from aliens who intend to commit terrorist attacks, threaten our national security, espouse hateful ideology, or otherwise exploit the immigration laws for malevolent purposes.

"I also stated that the United States must be vigilant during the visa-issuance process to ensure that those aliens approved for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans or our national interests.

"More importantly, the United States must identify such aliens before their admission or entry into the United States. The United States must ensure that admitted aliens and aliens otherwise already present in the United States do not bear hostile attitudes toward its citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles, and do not advocate for, aid, or support designated foreign terrorists or other threats to our national security."

Which countries are affected by the travel ban?

The following countries have been issued a full travel ban:

1. Afghanistan
2. Iran
3. Somalia
4. Libya
5. Haiti
6. Chad
7. Congo-Brazzaville
8. Equatorial Guinea
9. Myanmar (referred to as Burma in Trump's proclamation)
10. Eritrea
11. Sudan
12. Yemen

The countries facing partial restrictions are:

1. Venezuela
2. Cuba
3. Burundi
4. Laos
5. Sierra Leone
6. Togo
7. Turkmenistan

How does this affect the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

The expanded 48-team competition, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, kicks off next summer.

With qualifying nearly wrapped, 42 nations have already been awarded a place, including debut appearances from Curaçao, Cape Verde, Jordan, and Uzbekistan.

However, questions have been raised after two countries from the list have made it through.

Iran, who topped their Asian qualifying group with 23 points, have made it to their seventh World Cup, while Haiti joined them this week after a decisive 2–0 win over Nicaragua, securing only their second-ever appearance at the tournament.

Reports suggest U.S. authorities have already blocked the Iranian delegation from entering the country for December’s World Cup draw.

Will the Travel Ban Actually Impact the Tournament?

On paper, Trump’s restrictions bar most nationals from banned countries from entering the U.S. as immigrants or tourists.

That includes thousands of fans who would otherwise be traveling to support their teams.

However, athletes competing in major international sporting events are exempt – meaning players, coaches, and essential staff from the affected nations will be allowed in.

Immediate family members are reportedly also covered.

The real uncertainty lies with supporters as FIFA expects to make more than six million tickets available, according to The Guardian, but fans from banned nations will need to navigate a more complicated visa process than most.

U.S. Announces Special Visa System for Ticket Holders

To handle the massive influx of applications, U.S. embassies will use a newly created FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System (PASS).

Fans with verified tickets will be bumped to the front of the line for visa interviews, though approval still isn’t guaranteed.

“America welcomes the world,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said, calling PASS “a very concrete example” of efforts to make 2026 the most inclusive World Cup ever.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that PASS 'guarantees you an expedited appointment' but stressed that all applicants face the same vetting process, BBC News reports.

Meanwhile, Trump has continued warning host cities that they could lose their matches if they don’t crack down on crime, aiming threats at Seattle after similar remarks about Boston.

With the World Cup draw now set and the tournament just months away, FIFA, U.S. officials, and competing nations are working through the diplomatic complications.

Featured image credit: Leon Neal/Getty Images

President Donald Trump has spoken out following the devastating American Airlines crash in Washington DC.

American Airlines Flight 5342, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, was on its final approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport when it suddenly lost altitude at around 400 feet.

The plane tragically collided with a military helicopter.

According to The Guardian, the aircraft traveled approximately 140 miles per hour as it adjusted its trajectory to land on Runway 33.

Moments before impact, an air traffic controller reportedly radioed the approaching military helicopter, asking if it had the incoming jet in sight.

A second transmission followed: “PAT 25 pass behind the CRJ.” Seconds later, the two aircraft collided.

The plane’s radio transponder went silent just 2,400 feet short of the runway - directly over the Potomac River.

Emergency crews responded immediately, recovering at least 19 bodies from the river in the hours following the disaster.

A search is currently ongoing for the others who were onboard at the time.

In response to the catastrophe, President Donald Trump expressed his condolences and concern over the incident, per the Mirror.

"I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport," Trump stated. "May God Bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise."

Hours later, Trump raised questions about the cause of the crash, criticizing the circumstances that led to the collision.

Posting on Truth Social, he said: "The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time. It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn.

"Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane. This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!" he added.

Vice President JD Vance also commented on the situation, urging support for those affected.

"Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan airport this evening. We’re monitoring the situation, but for now let’s hope for the best," he posted.

The collision has forced the temporary suspension of all flights at Reagan National Airport until at least 5:00AM on Friday. The airport addressed the disruption in a social media post:

"All takeoffs and landings have been halted at DCA. Emergency personnel are responding to an aircraft incident on the airfield. The terminal remains open. Will update."

Among those on board were members of the U.S. Figure Skating community.

"These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas," U.S. Figure Skating said in a statement to CNN.

"We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available."

The helicopter carried three military personnel, though officials have not confirmed whether they survived.

Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas mourned the devastating loss: "When one person dies it’s a tragedy, but when many, many, many people die, it’s an unbearable sorrow."

Our thoughts are with all those affected by this terrible tragedy.

Featured image credit: Tom Williams / Getty

Donald Trump has banned citizens from 12 countries from entering the United States that he deems to have a “hostile” attitude.

If this all sounds familiar, it’s because it is. The move echoes Trump’s first-term travel ban, initially targeting predominantly Muslim countries and sparking outrage, protests, and legal challenges across the US, per Sky News.

Back then, the list included Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen. That order was revised multiple times before being upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.

Now, Trump’s new version drops Syria (after a recent meeting with its leader) but adds fresh names, while triggering the same outrage.

Citizens from 12 countries are now fully banned from entering the US: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

Another seven countries - Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela - face partial restrictions.

“This discriminatory policy, which limits legal immigration, not only flies in the face of what our country is supposed to stand for, it will be harmful to our economy and communities that rely on the contributions of people who come to America from this wide range of countries,” said Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal.

In a video statement posted to social media, Trump cited national security and the recent attack in Boulder, Colorado, carried out by an Egyptian national, as the final straw.

He said the attack “underscored the extreme dangers posed to our country by the entry of foreign nationals who are not properly vetted, as well as those who come here as temporary visitors and overstay their visas.”

Trump then added: “We don’t want them.”

The White House echoed that line, claiming some banned countries have “a significant terrorist presence” or “poor screening” protocols. Others, officials say, refuse to accept deported individuals, per the Guardian.

Trump’s proclamation also insists that people entering the US must not hold “hostile attitudes toward its citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles” and must not support terror groups.

There are exceptions: athletes competing in the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics, permanent US residents, and Afghans with special immigrant visas will still be allowed entry.

The list is also subject to change. Trump said it was “subject to revisions based on whether material improvements are made” and warned that “new countries could be added as threats emerge around the world.”

The proclamation is scheduled for review within 90 days of taking effect (on June 9), and again every 180 days after that. At each interval, it may be “continued, terminated, modified, or supplemented.”

Joe Biden had revoked Trump’s original travel ban on his first day in office in 2021. Now, with Trump back, the rebooted ban is broader and even more complex, layered with travel restrictions, visa crackdowns, and social media screenings.

Trump has also ordered consulates to screen the social media accounts of anyone applying for a visa to study at Harvard University and announced plans to limit foreign student visas altogether.

Featured image credit: Tasos Katopodis / Getty