"We don't want to just show up for the game, we want to be able to compete, but we are not being given the opportunity to be at our best. Mount Pleasant sporting director Paul Christie expressed frustration about the visa denials limiting the team's competitive capability for their Champions Cup debut."
"While the United States says players will be given exemptions to travel bans, the same has not been promised to spectators. In January, the US State Department said a Fifa Pass appointment does not allow people who are otherwise not eligible to be issued a visa, raising concerns for Haiti's World Cup participation."
Mount Pleasant, the 2025 Concacaf Caribbean Cup winners, faced significant visa denials for their Champions Cup debut against LA Galaxy in California. Ten players were denied entry to the United States, prompting the Jamaican club to call up academy players as replacements. The squad includes seven Haitian nationals, affected by President Trump's partial travel ban on Haiti announced in June 2025. While exemptions exist for events like the World Cup, it remains unclear if the Champions Cup qualifies. This situation raises concerns for Haiti's participation in the 2026 World Cup, where spectators may face visa restrictions despite player exemptions being promised.
Read at www.bbc.com
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