World Cup winner Capdevila appeals to Trump after US travel permit denied

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: World Cup winner Capdevila appeals to Trump after US travel permit denied Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Joan Capdevila (left) has reached out to President Donald Trump for help ByKeifer MacDonaldBBC Sport journalistPublished44 minutes agoFormer Spain international Joan Capdevila has made a plea to US President Donald Trump for help after he says he was denied a travel permit to enter the United States before Sunday's World Cup final. Capdevila, 48, was part of the Spain team that defeated the Netherlands to win the 2010 World Cup final. The retired full-back was hoping to reunite with his former team-mates and watch Spain's second World Cup final appearance when they take on Argentina at the MetLife Stadium on Sunday (20:00 BST).

Visitors who want to travel to the United States for up to 90 days without a visa need to apply to the country's Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which Capdevila says has been denied. "I NEED HELP @realDonaldTrump! " Capdevila posted on X on Friday.

The Details

"They just told me that I can't travel to the final with my kids because my ESTA has been denied. "The former Villarreal and Deportivo defender added: "Can anyone help me with this? You have no idea how excited I was to be there with all my 2010 team-mates and this team to cheer them on.

"I can't believe they're not letting me into the USA... and that I'll miss a moment like this with my kids who love soccer so much. "If anyone knows how to fix this, I'll be grateful to you for life.

"Capdevila also called on Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, to help resolve his situation and tagged the Spanish government's ministry of sport in his post. More from the 2026 World Cup on SportTrump questions Kane's 'defensive' role in semi-final loss Published9 hours agoMore games and more controversy - has World Cup been a success? Published2 hours agoDefiant Tuchel defends decisions and says loss is 'scar we carry now' Published8 hours agoIn an interview with Spanish radio station COPE, Capdevila said he believes he was denied entry to the United States because of a match he played in Iran in 2016.

What Experts Say

The 2008 European Championship winner was part of a side of La Liga legends that faced a team of all-stars from Iran in Tehran. Sport has contacted the White House for comment. Capdevila is not the first high-profile person to be denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, with Somali referee Omar Artan dropped from officiating at the tournament after he was denied entry to the country last month.

US officials said the 2025 Confederation of African Football (Caf) men's referee of the year was refused entry to the country after arriving at Miami International Airport on 8 June because of his "association with suspected members of terror organisations".

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.