Spanish soccer legend Joan Capdevila has been granted a waiver to enter the United States for Sunday's World Cup final, a day after his initial request for non-visa entry was denied, according to sources familiar with the matter. The former defender, a member of Spain's 2010 World Cup-winning team, had pleaded with President Donald Trump on Friday for assistance.
Capdevila is expected to arrive in New York on Sunday morning, just in time for the 3 p.m. final at MetLife Stadium between Spain and Argentina. His Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) was initially denied, preventing him from traveling with his children. Capdevila expressed his distress on social media, directly appealing to President Trump.
"I NEED HELP, @realDonaldTrump!" Capdevila wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "I’ve just been told I can’t travel with my children because my ESTA was denied. Can anyone help me with this? 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 allowed into the USA and that I’ll miss out on a moment like this with my children — we love football so much."
The reason for the ESTA denial is believed to be linked to Capdevila's participation in a friendly match between former La Liga players and an Iranian team in Tehran in 2016. While Spain is part of the Visa Waiver Program, visits to certain countries, including Iran, can trigger stricter entry requirements.
US entry requirements have been tightened in anticipation of the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Foreign visitors are required to meet existing U.S. entry regulations, including obtaining ESTA approval or securing a visitor visa if necessary.