An England fan learns live on air that he’s been refused entry to the US after going on a cruise holiday.
A big England fan who had World Cup tickets found out live on air that his Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) application was rejected because he visited Cuba on a cruise.
Lately, new US travel rules and visa bans have stopped some fans and officials from coming to the country for this summer’s World Cup.
Omar Artan, who was set to be the first Somali referee at the World Cup finals, was turned away at Miami airport by US Customs and Border Protection over “vetting concerns.”
Julien Kouadio, the president of Ivory Coast’s National Committee of Elephants Supporters, also shared that some Ivory Coast fans have been denied US visas. He said, “The supporters have canceled the trip because the US government doesn’t want to allow fans from certain countries, including Ivory Coast, to enter.”
The travel restrictions affected the England fan too, who can’t attend the tournament after his ESTA was denied due to his visit to Cuba last year.
Since January 12, 2021, the US Department of State has labeled Cuba a State Sponsor of Terrorism. That means anyone who’s been to Cuba on or after that date usually can’t enter the US with an ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program.
If someone’s ESTA was approved but it later comes to light they visited Cuba or hold dual nationality with Cuba and a Visa Waiver country, their ESTA will be canceled.
The restriction doesn’t apply if you were in Cuba for military or government service for a Visa Waiver country—but that wasn’t the case for the England fan, who just visited on a cruise.
During a chat live on Nicky Campbell’s BBC Radio 5 Live show this week, the supporter got the news his ESTA was denied.
He said, “I just got a message from the American Embassy saying they refused my entry because I went to Cuba on a cruise.”
The message explained, “Unfortunately, you can’t enter the USA because of your trip to Cuba in 2025, so you’re not eligible.”
He added, “Normally, they reply within 14 minutes, but this time it took three days to refuse me.”
Knowing the rules about Cuba, he had already tried to sell his World Cup tickets but still ended up missing out. “It just shows how it goes,” he said.
When asked how they found out about his Cuba visit, he replied, “You get a stamp in your passport when you go there, so they’re notified. I’m not sure exactly how it works.”
Campbell confirmed he’d just got the news, and the fan said, “Yeah, that’s why I called—I was waiting. When it came, I thought, ‘What am I going to do?’”
He understood the US has the right to control its borders but was disappointed. “I went on a cruise and didn’t realize it would stop me from going. It’s just cost me a chance to go to the World Cup.”