World Cup in chaos before it even starts as one nation boycotts draw over Trump's restrictions
Donald Trump is never far from controversy and the US president is already causing a stir ahead of next summer's World Cup.
The United States are hosting alongside Canada and Mexico, which has seen the 79-year-old take an interest in 'soccer' for perhaps the first time in his life, even sharing an AI-generated kick about with none other than Cristiano Ronaldo in the Oval Office recently, where the Portugal captain also received a very special gift.
Perhaps a late call up to Mauricio Pochettino's squad for Trump is not yet out of the question.
Trump has previously hosted the Juventus squad in the White House, so he's clearly doing his research ahead of the big kick off, but it seems as if his new-found love for the beautiful game won't be enough to change people's minds about him.
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It was actually during the Old Lady's visit that Trump started discussing bombing Iran, and the animosities haven't ended there, as the US also announced sanctions on the Middle Eastern country ahead of next week's World Cup draw, when the groups and fixtures will be decided.
Iran confirmed that it would boycott the draw in Washington after a number of members of its delegation were denied visas for the visit.
Iranian soccer federation spokesman Amir Mahdi Alavi suggested that officials faced visa obstacles that go beyond sports considerations.
Trump's administration has previously claimed that Iran is 'the source of significant terrorism around the world', and has 'historically failed to accept back its removable nationals.'
The president's travel ban on a number of countries across the world is likely to throw up some issues ahead of next summer, particularly as banned countries Haiti and Iran have already qualified.
While exemptions include 'any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives, travelling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting event as determined by the Secretary of State', this does not appear to extend to fans, meaning Haiti fans may not be able to attend the country's first ever World Cup.
There's still a lack of clarity, however, as FIFA's Gianni Infantino has previously said: "America will welcome the world. Everyone who wants to come here to enjoy, to have fun to celebrate the game, will be able to do that."
Footballers from Haiti and Iran have at least been given permission to play, with FIFA vice president Victor Montagliani confirming: "We already have assurances from all three governments that teams that qualify will be allowed to come in and participate."
However, it's hardly reassuring for the countries involved that senior officials have already been denied visas ahead of just a warm-up to the real thing, with other significant issues in the US also unlikely to fill the visiting teams with any confidence, which England certainly don't need as a distraction ahead of them undoubtedly bringing it home.
LADbible has contacted the White House for comment.
Topics: Donald Trump, World Cup, Iran, Football
James Moorhouse