Joan Capdevila, a key member of Spain's 2010 World Cup-winning squad, has publicly appealed to Donald Trump after his ESTA application was denied, preventing him from traveling to the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium. The former left-back, who played a crucial role in Spain's triumph in South Africa, had planned to attend the championship match in New Jersey. Now he's asking the former president to intervene.
Why the ESTA was denied
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a pre-screening program for visitors from countries in the Visa Waiver Program. Denials can happen for various reasons, including past visa overstays or criminal records. Capdevila hasn't detailed the specific grounds for his rejection. But he made his frustration public, tagging Trump in a social media post and urging him to help resolve the issue.
Capdevila's appeal to Trump
In his online message, Capdevila reminded Trump of his World Cup credentials and asked for assistance. He didn't get a direct reply from the former president. The appeal is unusual — a retired athlete from a European nation turning to a U.S. political figure for a travel waiver. Capdevila's post has since drawn attention from fans and media, though no official response has come from Trump or his team.
The 2026 World Cup final
The 2026 tournament will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the final scheduled for MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It's the first World Cup with three host nations and the first to feature 48 teams. For Capdevila, missing the final would be a personal blow. He's not the only one affected by ESTA issues — travelers from Spain and other visa-waiver countries occasionally face denials without clear explanations.
Capdevila hasn't said whether he'll pursue other legal options. His public plea to Trump remains unanswered. The 2026 final is still years away, but for now, his trip is blocked.
