A former player on Spain’s only World Cup-winning squad is asking President Trump to let him enter the US for Sunday’s final in New Jersey.
Joan Capdevila, a defender on the team that won the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, called on Trump in an X post Friday to show him some mercy after officials denied his request for a non-visa entry to the US.
“I NEED HELP, @realDonaldTrump!” the 48-year-old wrote.
“I’ve just been told I can’t travel to the final with my children because my ESTA was denied.”
ESTA, short for Electronic System for Travel Authorization, lets citizens of 42 countries, including Spain, visit the US for up to 90 days without a visa. But travel to countries like Iran can trigger a denial.
Capdevila, who played 15 seasons in La Liga, told Spanish media outlets that the decision to ban his entry into the US stemmed from his appearance in a match between former La Liga players and an Iranian team in Tehran in 2016.
Capdevila hoped to join other members of the 2010 Spanish side at MetLife Stadium for the clash against defending champions Argentina.
“Can anyone help me with this?” he wrote. “You have no idea how excited I was to be there with all my 2010 teammates and this squad to cheer them on.
“I can’t believe I’m not being allowed into the USA and that I’ll miss out on a moment like this with my children – we love football so much.”
He further pleaded: “If anyone knows how to fix this, I would be eternally grateful.”
The US has tightened entry requirements for some foreign visitors ahead of the 2026 World Cup, hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.
Foreign visitors traveling to World Cup matches must meet existing US entry requirements, including obtaining ESTA approval through the Visa Waiver Program or securing a visitor visa if required.
The Post has reached out to Trump, Capdevila and the State Department for comment.
