Joan Capdevila won the World Cup with Spain in 2010. Sixteen years later, he is posting on social media asking Donald Trump to help him fill out immigration paperwork so he can enter the country hosting the next one.

Capdevila made the appeal publicly on June 17, 2026, asking the US president directly for help navigating entry complications ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

A visa problem that is bigger than one ex-player

Capdevila is not alone. The 2026 World Cup, split across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has generated a steady stream of reports about visa delays and flat-out entry denials hitting teams, officials, and supporters from multiple countries.

Relatives of players have also been caught up in the machinery. A family member of a Cape Verde goalkeeper was among those who encountered complications getting into the US for the tournament.

US immigration policy has faced heightened scrutiny throughout the tournament, with processing bottlenecks and nationality-based restrictions drawing criticism from fans, football associations, and now players themselves.