A key starter from Spain’s 2010 World Cup victory is pleading with President Donald Trump to solve his visa problems ahead of Sunday’s final against Argentina.
‘I NEED HELP @realDonaldTrump,’ read a translated X post from Joan Capdevila. ‘They just told me that I can’t travel to the final with my kids because my ESTA [Electronic System for Travel Authorization] has been denied.
‘Can anyone help me with this?’ he asked his followers. ‘You have no idea how excited I was to be there with all my 2010 teammates 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.’
Capdevila ended the post by including the X handle for Spain’s ministry of education, vocational training and sports.
He also pleaded his case to Spanish radio station, COPE, sharing his belief that his ban stemmed from a 2016 match he played in Iran alongside other La Liga legends.
Joan Capdevilla (now 48) believes a 2016 match he played in Iran is keeping him out of the US
Capdevila was Spain’s only starter in 2010 who didn’t play for Barcelona or Real Madrid
Previously, Somali referee Omar Artan was barred from officiating at World Cup games in the United States. He was denied entry to the US last month and officials have since accused him of having an ‘association with suspected members of terror organizations.’
Artan has denied any such link. Custom and Border Protection agents did not provide any evidence supporting their claim.
Now 48, Capdevila started all seven games for then-Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque’s historic team in 2010. Remarkably, the former Villarreal star was the only member of Spain’s starting lineup for the final who wasn’t a member of Real Madrid or Barcelona.
The State Department does issue visa waivers through its ESTA program, which does not permit travel to the US to anyone who has travelled to Iran since March 1, 2011. Anyone who has travelled to Iran since then ‘must obtain a visa prior to traveling to the United States.’
The Daily Mail has sought comment from Homeland Security’s office of Customs and Border Protection.
Spain has drawn Trump’s ire by refusing to take part in the US war effort against Iran
Capdevila’s request comes at a difficult time for US-Spanish relations. In recent months, Trump has threatened to cut off trade with Spain for that country’s refusal to assist in the US war effort against Iran.
Spain responded by reminding Trump that American trade with the country was negotiated through the European Union.
‘If the US administration wishes to review the trade agreement, it must do so respecting the autonomy of private companies, international law, and bilateral agreements between the European Union and the United States,’ Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s spokesperson said at the time.
Spain and Argentina will kick off from MetLife Stadium at 3pm EST on Sunday.
Despite becoming the latest European leader to draw Trump’s ire, Sánchez plans to attend Sunday’s final in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
However, Argentina’s Javier Milei plans to watch from his presidential residence due to superstitions.
Unlike Sánchez, Milei is an ally of Trump after securing a $20 billion donation for Argentina from the US Treasury’s Exchange Stabilization Fund (ESF) in 2025.
