A member of Spain’s 2010 World Cup-winning squad has called on US President Donald Trump to intervene after being barred from the USA ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final.
He was part of the Spanish squads that won Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.
It seems Capdevila’s brief appearance in Iran a decade ago has cost him the chance to be at the 2026 World Cup final at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
⚽ World Cup History Quiz Score 0 You scored out of 20 ↩ Play againHeadlines were made at the start of the tournament when Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States and subsequently missed the World Cup.
The former defender now looks set to miss Spain’s second appearance in a World Cup final, 16 years after winning football’s most prestigious trophy for the first time in South Africa.
A member of Spain’s 2010 World Cup-winning squad has called on US President Donald Trump to intervene after being barred from the USA ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final.
Joan Capdevila is a former left-back who was capped 60 times by Spain between 2002-2011. He was part of the Spanish squads that won Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.
The 48-year-old played for several top Spanish clubs including Atletico Madrid, Deportivo La Corona and Villarreal.
Capdevila Begs Trump to Help Over ESTA Issue
Action Images / John Sibley
However, his status as a World Cup winner hasn’t prevented him from being denied entry to the United States for the biggest match of the year between Spain and Argentina.
The retired full-back tweeted: "I NEED HELP @realDonaldTrump. They just told me that I can't travel to the final with my kids because my ESTA has been denied.
"Can anyone help me with this? You have no idea how excited I was to be there with all my teammates from 2010 and this team to cheer them on. I can’t believe they won’t let me enter the U.S. ... and that I’ll miss a moment like this with my kids, who love soccer so much... If anyone knows how to fix this, I’ll be eternally grateful.”
Capdevila Reveals Why He's Been Barred From US
Action Images / Michael Regan Livepic
In an interview with Spanish radio station COPE, per USA Today, Capdevila said he’s been denied an ESTA because he played a match in Iran 10 years ago.
Back in 2016, a team of La Liga legends - featuring the likes of Fernando Morientes, Marcos Senna and Capdevila - traveled to Tehran to face a team of all-stars.
It seems Capdevila’s brief appearance in Iran a decade ago has cost him the chance to be at the 2026 World Cup final at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
⚽ World Cup History Quiz Score 0 You scored out of 20 ↩ Play again
Headlines were made at the start of the tournament when Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States and subsequently missed the World Cup.
There were also numerous incidents of fans being denied ESTAs despite spending thousands of pounds on tickets, travel and accommodation.
However, Capdevila is the most notable former professional who has been unable to enter the USA for this summer’s showpiece international tournament.
Related Ballon d'Or 2026 Power Rankings Tracking the leading contenders to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or award in 2026.
The former defender now looks set to miss Spain’s second appearance in a World Cup final, 16 years after winning football’s most prestigious trophy for the first time in South Africa.
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Spain head into Sunday’s final as narrow favourites following their impressive 2-0 victory over the much-fancied France in the semi-finals
However, they face a fiercely-passionate Argentina side who are determined to retain the World Cup trophy, with the peerless Lionel Messi in scintillating form despite the fact he recently celebrated his 39th birthday.
