England fan learns live on air his ESTA was rejected for the World Cup due to Cuba trip
Football fans are seeing that the 2026 World Cup will be shaped by more than fixtures and tickets.
The tournament runs from 11 June to 19 July across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with 11 American host cities. That puts US entry rules at the centre of supporters' planning.
With Donald Trump's immigration policy as a harder backdrop, one England fan's live radio update showed how a past holiday can threaten a World Cup trip.
Three Lions fan discovers live that Cuba visit has derailed his World Cup travel hopes
Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images
US rules say travellers who have been in Cuba on or after 12 January 2021 are not eligible for ESTA and must apply for a visa instead.
That became the issue on Nicky Campbell's BBC Radio 5 Live show, when an England supporter received his decision on air.
"Well, I've just had a thing come through on my ESTA from the American Embassy and they've refused my entry to America because I went to Cuba on a cruise," he began by saying.
"It says: 'Unfortunately, you are unable to enter the USA due to your entry into Cuba in 2025 and therefore you are not eligible to enter the USA.'
"So you get a thing back from ESTA, they give you 72 hours and they'll come back to you. And the longer it takes, normally it takes about 14 minutes. This time it's taken three days and they've refused my entry.
"And I thought that might be the case because I knew about Cuba. That's why I tried to get rid of my World Cup tickets. But, yeah, it just shows you that's how it goes."
The episode endorses why supporters must check entry rules before buying tickets, and it increases the controversy surrounding United States hosting the tournament.
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