Joan Capdevila Appeals ESTA Denial Before 2026 World Cup Final Over 2016 Iran Match
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 18
Joan Capdevila Appeals ESTA Denial Before 2026 World Cup Final Over 2016 Iran Match
2 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 18
Summary
48-year-old Joan Capdevila said his US ESTA was denied days before Sunday's World Cup final, blocking a planned trip with his children to watch Spain face Argentina at MetLife Stadium.
Capdevila told Spanish radio he believes the refusal stems from a 2016 exhibition match in Tehran, where he played for a La Liga legends side against an Iran all-star team.
On X, the former Spain defender appealed directly to Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, saying he had hoped to reunite with Spain's 2010 World Cup-winning squad.
The case follows another World Cup entry refusal last month, when Somali referee Omar Artan was denied admission to the US over alleged links to suspected terror-group members.